be cautious
/biː ˈkɔːʃəs/verb phrase★Intermediate
formalinformal
To be careful and avoid unnecessary risks or mistakes
Before investing, be cautious and research thoroughly.
When crossing the street, be cautious of oncoming traffic.
💡
Often used to advise someone to proceed with care or to warn about potential dangers.
Collocations
be cautious aboutTo be careful regarding a specific matterbe cautious ofTo be wary of something potentially dangerous
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
exercise cautionphrase
To take care in one's actions
proceed with cautionphrase
To move forward carefully
💡Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'be cautious' in formal or serious situations, such as safety instructions or financial advice.
⚡Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'be cautious' is useful, overusing it can make your speech sound overly cautious or hesitant.
📖Word Origin
From the Latin 'cautus' meaning 'careful'
📝Usage Notes
Commonly used in advice, warnings, and safety instructions.
Word Breakdown
be
To exist or occur
verbcautious
Careful to avoid danger or mistakes
adjectiveEnglish Dictionary