carefully

choose (one's) words carefully

To speak with great care and consideration, especially so as to avoid causing trouble or offense. A: "If you're going to bring up a touchy subject like that with Carol, you'll definitely need to choose your words carefully." B: "I know, she can be so volatile." He'll have to choose his words carefully if he wants to bring up the boss's mistake in the meeting. A: "How am I going to bring up these complaints against my supervisor to the general manager?" B: "Choose your words carefully?" A: "Gee, thanks."

See also: carefully, choose, word

measure (one's) words

To speak with great care and consideration. A: "If you're going to bring up a touchy subject like that with Carol, you'll definitely need to measure your words." B: "I know, she can be so volatile." He measured his words carefully while outlining his complaints against his supervisor to the general manager.

See also: measure, word

tread carefully

To delicately handle or approach a situation in order not to upset or worsen the current circumstances, which may be precarious. Tread carefully when you ask Mom whether she's going to the party. She's been acting weird about it. We need to start treading carefully when it comes to our diplomacy—we can't afford to alienate any allies.

See also: carefully, tread

tread warily

To delicately handle or approach a situation in order not to upset or worsen the current circumstances, which may be precarious. Tread warily when you ask Mom whether she's going to the party. She's been acting weird about it. We need to start treading warily when it comes to our diplomacy—we can't afford to alienate any allies.

See also: tread, warily

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Heads up!

Raise your head and look around you carefully for information or something that you need to see or avoid. Heads up! Watch out for that door! Heads up! There is a car coming.

See also: Head

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

tread ˈcarefully, ˈwarily, etc.

be very careful about what you do or say: The government will have to tread very carefully in handling this issue. OPPOSITE: throw caution to the wind(s)

See also: tread

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

Heads up!

exclam. Look out! Heads up! Watch out for the swinging bucket!

See also: Head

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.