Adverb
/kæˈrɪli/
"Charily" means to do something with caution or reluctance. It indicates a careful approach or a hesitance to engage fully. The term is not very common in everyday language and tends to be used more in written contexts, particularly in literary or formal settings, rather than in casual speech.
"Charily" is considered a formal adverb and is infrequent in both oral and written communication. Its usage is generally found in contexts where a writer wants to convey carefulness or reluctance.
She approached the negotiations charily, aware of the potential pitfalls.
Ella se acercó a las negociaciones con cautela, consciente de las posibles trampas.
The researchers acted charily when releasing the information to the public.
Los investigadores actuaron con precaución al divulgar la información al público.
He charily accepted the invitation, unsure of what the event would entail.
Aceptó la invitación con cautela, sin estar seguro de lo que implicaría el evento.
Although "charily" is not commonly found in idiomatic expressions, its meaning resonates with phrases that convey caution or hesitance. Below are some idioms that evoke a similar sentiment.
"Tiptoe around" - To approach a situation with care to avoid upsetting anyone.
She had to tiptoe around the subject of the layoffs during the meeting.
Tuvo que andar con pies de plomo sobre el tema de los despidos durante la reunión.
"Walk on eggshells" - To be very cautious about how you behave or what you say.
He felt like he was walking on eggshells around his disappointed boss.
Sentía que estaba caminando sobre cascarones alrededor de su jefe decepcionado.
"Put out feelers" - To make informal inquiries or test reactions before taking action.
She decided to put out feelers before making her final decision.
Decidió sondear antes de tomar su decisión final.
"Proceed with caution" - To move forward carefully to avoid risk.
The team was advised to proceed with caution during the project launch.
Se recomendó al equipo proceder con precaución durante el lanzamiento del proyecto.
"Slow and steady wins the race" - A reminder that consistent effort often leads to success more than speed or haste.
He believed in the mantra "slow and steady wins the race" while preparing for the exam.
Creía en el mantra “poco a poco se gana la carrera” mientras se preparaba para el examen.
The adverb "charily" is derived from the adjective "chary," which originated in the mid-16th century. The root of "chary" can be traced back to the Old English word "cearig," meaning "sorrowful" or "wretched," and later evolved to convey meanings of caution and reserve.