discretion

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.

See also: age, discretion, of

an ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit

proverb It is much better to know when to refrain from speaking than to have the ability to make jokes or witty remarks, which may come at an inappropriate time or be about an inappropriate subject. Now's not the time for one of your lewd jokes, Frank. Didn't anyone ever teach you that an ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit? Hey, if the boss is clearly angry, it's not a good time to transform into a stand-up comedian. Geez, an ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit! I like to use humor to defuse tension, but even I know that an ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit!

See also: an, discretion, of, ounce, pound, wit, worth

at (one's) discretion

In accordance with one's thoughts or judgment on a particular issue. Whether or not you get a bonus is at your boss's discretion, so you better impress her!

See also: discretion

discretion is the better part of valor

proverb Caution is more important than bravery. The expression emphasizes the importance of being cautious and reserving acts of bravery for when they are actually needed. I know you want to try that risky skateboard jump, but remember that discretion is the better part of valor.

See also: better, discretion, of, part

the soul of discretion

Someone who can be trusted to keep information private. Don't worry, my sister is the soul of discretion—she won't tell anyone about our engagement before we do.

See also: discretion, of, soul

throw discretion to the wind(s)

To act or behave recklessly and/or fearlessly, with no sense of restraint or propriety. (An older variant of the now more common "throw caution to the wind(s).") After my father won a bit of money at the race tracks, he began throwing discretion to the winds and ended up gambling away everything we had. You can't live life completely reserved, you know—you've got to throw discretion to the wind every now and then.

See also: discretion, throw, to

toss discretion to the wind(s)

To act or behave recklessly or fearlessly, with no sense of restraint or propriety. After my father won a bit of money at the race tracks, he began throwing discretion to the winds and ended up gambling away everything we had. You can't live life completely reserved, you know—you've got to throw discretion to the wind every now and then.

See also: discretion, to, toss

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

Prov. It is good to be brave, but it is also good to be careful.; If you are careful, you will not get into situations that require you to be brave. Son: Can I go hang gliding with my friends? Father: No. Son: But they'll say I'm chicken if I don't go! Father: Discretion is the better part of valor, and I'd rather have them call you chicken than risk your life.

See also: better, discretion, of, part

ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit

Prov. Knowing when to refrain from making jokes is better than being able to make jokes all the time. Mabel makes fun of everybody, regardless of whether or not she hurts their feelings. Someone should tell her that an ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit.

See also: discretion, of, ounce, pound, wit, worth

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

discretion is the better part of valor

It is better to be prudent than merely courageous, as in I'm signing up for the easy course first; discretion is the better part of valor. This proverb, a synonym of look before you leap, was first recorded in 1477. Charles Churchill put it in poetic form: "Even in a hero's heart, Discretion is the better part" ( The Ghost, 1762). Shakespeare also used a form of it: "The better part of valor is discretion" ( 1 Henry IV, 5:4).

See also: better, discretion, of, part

throw caution to the winds

Also, throw discretion to the winds. Behave or speak very rashly, as in Throwing caution to the winds, he ran after the truck, or I'm afraid she's thrown discretion to the winds and told everyone about the divorce. This expression uses to the winds in the sense of "utterly vanishing" or "out of existence," a usage dating from the mid-1600s. The first recorded use of throw to the winds was in 1885.

See also: caution, throw, to, wind

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

discretion is the better part of valour

it's better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it. proverb

See also: better, discretion, of, part, valour

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

at somebody’s diˈscretion

according to what somebody decides or wishes to do: Bail is granted at the discretion of the court. ♢ There is no service charge and tipping is at your discretion.

See also: discretion

diˌscretion is the ˌbetter part of ˈvalour

(British English) (American English diˌscretion is the ˌbetter part of ˈvalor) (saying) you should avoid danger and not take unnecessary risksThis comes from Shakespeare’s play Henry IV.

See also: better, discretion, of, part, valour

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017