cautel†, heed, circumspection, calculation, deliberation.
foresight &c 510; vigilance &c 459; warning &c 668.
coolness &c adj.; self-possession, self-command; presence of mind,
sang froid [Fr.]; well-regulated mind; worldly wisdom, Fabian policy.
V. be cautious &c adj.; take care, take heed, take good care; have a
care mind, what one is about; be on one's guard &c (keep watch) 459;
make assurance doubly sure [Macbeth].
bespeak &c (be early) 132.
think twice, look before one leaps, count the cost, look to the
main chance, cut one's coat according to one's cloth; feel one's
ground, feel one's way; see how the land lies &c (foresight) 510; wait
to see how the cat jumps; bridle one's tongue; reculer pour mieux
sauter &c (prepare) 673 [Fr.]; let well alone, let well enough alone;
let sleeping dogs lie, ne pas reveiller le chat qui dort [Fr.], don't
wake a sleeping cat.
keep out of harm's way, keep out of troubled waters; keep at a
respectful distance, stand aloof; keep on the safe side, be on the safe
side.
husband one's resources &c 636.
caution &c (warn) 668.
Adj. cautious, wary, guarded; on one's guard &c (watchful) 459; cavendo
tutus [Lat.]; in medio tutissimus [Lat.]; vigilant.
careful, heedful; cautelous†, stealthy, chary, shy of, circumspect,
prudent, discreet, politic; sure-footed &c (skillful) 698.
unenterprising, unadventurous, cool, steady, self-possessed;
overcautious.
Adv. cautiously &c adj..
Int. have a care!,
Phr. timeo Danaos [Lat.] [Vergil]; festina lente [Lat.].
ante victoriam ne canas triumphum [Lat.], don't sing out victory
before the triumph; give, every man thine ear but few thy voice
[Hamlet]; he who laughs last laughs best, il rit bien qui rit le
dernier [Fr.]; ni firmes carta que no leas ni bebas agua que no veas
[Sp.]; nescit vox missa reverti [Lat.] [Horace]; love all, trust a few
[All's Well]; noli irritare leones [Lat.]; safe bind safe find; if it
ain't broke, don't fix it [Bert Lance].