θroʊ ˈkɔːʃən tuː ðə wɪnd
Nature & Weather
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- Releasing caution into the wind
What does "throw caution to the wind" mean?
- To take a risk without worrying about consequences
- To act recklessly or boldly
Examples
- She threw caution to the wind and quit her job.
- Sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind.
- He threw caution to the wind and proposed on the first date.
Origin
From the idea of releasing something into the wind where it blows away. Abandoning careful behavior.
How to use it
Can be positive (boldness) or negative (recklessness) depending on context.
Similar expressions
take a risk
be reckless
go for it
throw care aside
Opposites
play it safe
be cautious
hedge your bets
Related idioms
- out of the blue
Unexpectedly; without warning
- beat around the bush
To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation
- every cloud has a silver lining
There is something positive in every negative situation
- go with the flow
To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly
- once in a blue moon
Very rarely; almost never
- tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem
Use it in a practice answer
Try "throw caution to the wind" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.