over-caution (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Noun

Phonetic Transcription

/ˈoʊvərˈkɔːʃən/

Meaning and Usage

Meaning: Over-caution refers to an excessive amount of caution that can hinder decision-making or action. It is characterized by an inability or unwillingness to take risks or make choices due to fear of potential negative outcomes.

Frequency of Use: Over-caution is relatively less common in everyday speech but is used in written contexts, particularly in discussions about psychology, risk management, and decision-making.

Context of Use: It is more frequently found in written contexts, such as articles, books, or essays discussing behaviors and decision-making processes, than in casual conversation.

Example Sentences

1. His over-caution in investing led him to miss several lucrative opportunities.

2. Translation: Его чрезмерная осторожность в инвестициях привела к тому, что он упустил несколько выгодных возможностей.

3. Over-caution can sometimes prevent teams from taking necessary risks that drive innovation.

4. Translation: Чрезмерная осторожность иногда может помешать командам принимать необходимые риски, способствующие инновациям.

5. The manager's over-caution resulted in missed deadlines and frustrated employees.

6. Translation: Чрезмерная осторожность менеджера привела к пропущенным срокам и разочарованным сотрудникам.

Idiomatic Expressions

While "over-caution" itself does not have widely recognized idiomatic expressions, it is often used in discussions about risk aversion or fear, which can relate to idiomatic phrases concerning caution.

1. "Better safe than sorry" emphasizes the idea of being cautious but can tie into over-caution when taken to excess.

2. Translation: «Береги штаны, и не пожалеешь» подчеркивает идею быть осторожным, но может прослеживаться в чрезмерной осторожности.

3. "Look before you leap" highlights the importance of caution, although it might lead to over-caution in certain situations.

4. Translation: «Смотри перед тем, как прыгнуть» подчеркивает важность осторожности, хотя в некоторых ситуациях это может привести к чрезмерной осторожности.

5. "Walking on eggshells" can refer to someone who is extremely cautious to avoid conflict, which might reflect over-caution in social scenarios.

6. Translation: «Ходить по яичным скорлупам» может относиться к людям, которые чрезвычайно осторожны, чтобы избежать конфликта, что может отражать чрезмерную осторожность в социальных ситуациях.

Etymology

The term "over-caution" is a compound word formed by the prefix "over-", meaning "excessive" or "above normal," and "caution," which comes from the Latin "cautio," meaning "a being cautious, a heedfulness." The term reflects the idea of being more cautious than necessary.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms: - Excessive caution - Over-carefulness - Timidity

Antonyms: - Boldness - Bravery - Recklessness

This structure includes comprehensive information on "over-caution" along with example sentences and relevant idiomatic expressions to enhance understanding.