age of discretion

1. The age at which one is deemed capable of making one's own decisions and managing one's own life. A: "I just want to run my own life!" B: "Be careful what you wish for—you're almost at the age of discretion, and then your life is solely your responsibility." I'm sorry, but if you are younger than the age of discretion, I don't think you should be having sex. Sex just comes with emotional ramifications that are hard for even adults to manage! As soon as I hit the age of discretion, I moved out on my own—and was promptly very overwhelmed.

2. law The age at which one can be held legally responsible for one's actions. You're at the age of discretion now. Keep getting in trouble with your dumb friends, and you could find yourself facing serious consequences. They're suing the boy who caused the deadly car accident, because he's at the age of discretion. I stopped shoplifting after I hit the age of discretion and the penalties for getting caught became more severe.

3. Catholicism The age at which one is morally responsible for one's actions. A child who has reached the age of discretion can confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Your mother and I expect you to behave better than this now that you've reached the age of discretion. After I reached the age of discretion, it became harder to live with some of the stupid, hurtful decisions I was making.