throw caution to the wind
To take a risk without worrying about the consequences
Literalmente: To toss your carefulness into the moving air
Use this phrase when you decide to stop playing it safe and embrace a risky opportunity.
Em 15 segundos
- Stop worrying about risks and just take action.
- Choose bravery or impulsiveness over staying safe.
- A phrase for big decisions and bold moves.
Significado
This phrase means deciding to stop being careful and just going for it. You choose to take a big risk or do something impulsive without worrying about what might go wrong.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Deciding on a dessert
I know I'm on a diet, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and order the cheesecake.
I decided to stop being careful and eat the cake.
Quitting a job for a dream
She threw caution to the wind, quit her corporate job, and started a bakery.
She took a big risk to follow her dream.
Suggesting a bold business move
If we want to beat our competitors, we need to throw caution to the wind and launch now.
We need to take a risk to succeed.
Contexto cultural
The phrase has roots in ancient literature, appearing in various forms in Greek and Roman texts. It became a staple of English literature in the 19th century to describe romantic or daring leaps of faith. It reflects a Western cultural value of individualism and the 'calculated risk.'
Conjugation is Key
Remember that 'throw' is an irregular verb. Use 'threw' for the past and 'thrown' for the perfect tenses. Example: 'I have thrown caution to the wind many times.'
Don't Overuse It
Because this phrase is quite dramatic, using it for every tiny decision (like choosing a toothpaste) can make you sound a bit sarcastic or overly intense.
Em 15 segundos
- Stop worrying about risks and just take action.
- Choose bravery or impulsiveness over staying safe.
- A phrase for big decisions and bold moves.
What It Means
Imagine you are holding a handful of seeds called 'caution.' If you throw caution to the wind, you open your hand and let the breeze carry them away. You are no longer holding onto safety. You are choosing to be bold, brave, or perhaps a little bit reckless. It is the moment you stop overthinking and start acting.
How To Use It
You usually use this phrase when a decision involves a risk. It works as a verb phrase in a sentence. You can say you 'decided to' or 'finally' threw caution to the wind. It sounds great when describing a turning point in a story. It implies a sense of freedom and excitement. Just remember to conjugate the verb throw (threw, thrown, throwing).
When To Use It
Use this when you are making a life-changing choice. Maybe you are quitting a boring job to paint in Italy. Use it when you are nervous but decide to be brave anyway.
- At a restaurant: 'I'm on a diet, but I'll
throw caution to the windand order the triple chocolate cake.' - With friends: 'We should
throw caution to the windand drive to the beach right now!' - In a meeting: 'Let’s
throw caution to the windand try this new marketing strategy.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase for truly dangerous or illegal activities. It is meant to be spirited, not a description of a crime. Don't use it for very tiny, boring things. Saying you threw caution to the wind by wearing blue socks instead of black feels a bit too dramatic. Unless, of course, your boss is the fashion police.
Cultural Background
This idiom has been around for centuries. It likely comes from the idea of sailors or travelers checking the wind. If you throw something into the wind, it is gone forever. In Western culture, we love the 'hero's journey.' This phrase captures that moment the hero stops being afraid and jumps into the adventure. It celebrates the 'YOLO' (You Only Live Once) spirit before that slang even existed.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say fling caution to the winds (plural). It means the exact same thing but feels slightly more poetic. You might also hear cast caution to the wind. Cast is just a fancier, older way of saying 'throw.' Both are perfectly fine to use, but throw is the most common version you will hear at the pub or in the office.
Notas de uso
This phrase is highly versatile and fits into almost any social or professional situation. It carries a sense of narrative drama, making it perfect for storytelling or explaining big decisions.
Conjugation is Key
Remember that 'throw' is an irregular verb. Use 'threw' for the past and 'thrown' for the perfect tenses. Example: 'I have thrown caution to the wind many times.'
Don't Overuse It
Because this phrase is quite dramatic, using it for every tiny decision (like choosing a toothpaste) can make you sound a bit sarcastic or overly intense.
The 'Wind' vs 'Winds'
In British English, you might occasionally hear 'to the winds' (plural). It sounds a bit more old-fashioned and literary, like something out of a 19th-century novel!
Exemplos
6I know I'm on a diet, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and order the cheesecake.
I decided to stop being careful and eat the cake.
A common, lighthearted way to use the phrase for small indulgences.
She threw caution to the wind, quit her corporate job, and started a bakery.
She took a big risk to follow her dream.
Shows a major life change and a bold move.
If we want to beat our competitors, we need to throw caution to the wind and launch now.
We need to take a risk to succeed.
Used here to sound decisive and leadership-oriented.
I'm gonna throw caution to the wind and text him first! Wish me luck!
I'm going to be brave and send the message.
Perfect for social risks and modern dating talk.
We threw caution to the wind by following a map from 1992, and now we're lost in a forest.
We were reckless with our navigation and got lost.
Uses the phrase to highlight a funny, failed risk.
The board decided to throw caution to the wind and invest heavily in renewable energy.
The board took a significant financial risk.
Even in formal settings, it adds a sense of drama to a decision.
Teste-se
Choose the correct form of the verb to complete the sentence.
After months of hesitation, Mark finally ___ caution to the wind and asked Sarah to marry him.
The sentence is in the past tense ('After months of...'), so 'threw' is the correct past tense form.
Complete the idiom.
You can't live your whole life in fear; sometimes you just have to throw caution to the ___.
The standard idiom is 'throw caution to the wind.'
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Recursos visuais
Formality Level of 'Throw Caution to the Wind'
Used with friends about dating or food.
Let's throw caution to the wind and get pizza!
Standard usage in most conversations.
He threw caution to the wind and moved to Spain.
Used in journalism or business for bold moves.
The company threw caution to the wind with the new merger.
When to Throw Caution to the Wind
Career Change
Quitting to start a business
Romance
Confessing your feelings
Travel
Booking a last-minute flight
Finance
Investing in a risky stock
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot necessarily! While it involves risk, it usually implies being brave or adventurous rather than just being foolish. It’s about the *choice* to ignore the risks.
Yes, but use it sparingly. It works well when describing a bold new project or a creative direction, like saying, We decided to throw caution to the wind and redesign the entire brand.
They are similar in spirit! However, throw caution to the wind is more descriptive of the action of ignoring fear, whereas YOLO is a general philosophy.
The opposite would be to play it safe or to err on the side of caution. These mean you are being very careful to avoid any mistakes.
No, the phrase is fixed. You should always say throw caution without a possessive pronoun like 'my' or 'his.'
Very! You will hear it in movies, read it in news headlines, and hear it in everyday conversation. It is a B2/C1 level staple.
It can be either. You can throw caution to the wind and have it work out great, or you can do it and end up regretting it. The phrase focuses on the *act* of taking the risk.
While 'toss' means the same thing, it isn't part of the standard idiom. Stick with throw, cast, or fling to sound natural.
Yes, the destination is always 'the wind.' You can't throw caution to the floor or to the dogs!
You can say, I think I'll throw caution to the wind and buy those expensive shoes. it shows a sudden decision.
Frases relacionadas
Take the plunge
To commit to a course of action that you were nervous about.
Go for broke
To risk everything in an all-out effort.
Bite the bullet
To do something difficult or unpleasant that you have been avoiding.
Live on the edge
To live a life full of risks and excitement.
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