exercise caution

[/ˈɛksərsaɪz ˈkɔːʃən/]

verb phrase

ter cautela / exercer cautela / agir com cuidado

1. to be careful and avoid taking risks; to act prudently in a situation

You should exercise caution when driving in heavy rain.

Você deve ter cautela ao dirigir sob chuva forte.

2. to proceed with care and circumspection to avoid potential danger or harm

Exercise caution when handling chemicals in the laboratory.

Exerça cautela ao manipular produtos químicos no laboratório.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

ter cautela / agir com cuidado

Standard expression used throughout Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

tomar cuidado / andar na linha

More colloquial phrasing in everyday speech

São Paulo

ter cautela / estar atento

Formal and business contexts prefer this phrasing

Portugal

ter cuidado / agir prudentemente

European Portuguese preference for 'ter cuidado'

watch your step

be on your guard

tread carefully

err on the side of caution

better safe than sorry

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