precaution

précaution

Mesure prise à l’avance pour éviter un danger, des dégâts ou des problèmes.

En anglais simple : Something you do beforehand to prevent danger, damage, or trouble.

• We took every possible precaution.
• Wear gloves as a precaution when handling broken glass.
• What precautions should we take before the storm?

Comment l'utiliser : as a precaution (We carried extra water as a precaution.); precaution against something (The lock is a precaution against theft.)

Synonymes : safeguard, preventive measure

Expressions courantes : take a precaution, safety precaution, precaution against something

avertir, prévenir

Avertir quelqu’un d’un danger possible avant qu’il ne survienne.

En anglais simple : To warn someone about a possible danger before it happens.

• They precautioned us before we left.
• The captain precautioned his crew against the approaching storm.
• She tried to precaution him about the unsafe bridge.

Comment l'utiliser : precaution someone against something (The guide precautioned the travellers against crossing the river.)

Synonymes : warn, caution

Expressions courantes : precaution someone, precaution someone against something

prendre des précautions

Prendre des mesures à l’avance pour se protéger de quelque chose de dangereux.

En anglais simple : To take steps beforehand to protect yourself from something dangerous.

• The villagers precautioned against flooding.
• We must precaution against disease before setting out.
• They precautioned against theft by hiding their money.

Comment l'utiliser : precaution against something (They precautioned against fire by keeping water nearby.)

Synonymes : guard against, take precautions

Expressions courantes : precaution against something, precaution against fire