caution
cau·tion
I
 /ˈkɑːʃən/  noun  ,  pl   -tions
  1 [  noncount  ] : care taken to avoid danger or risk : a careful attitude or way of behaving
   You should use caution when operating the electric saw.
   He injected a note/word of caution in his talk.
   Her financial adviser urged caution before investing in the project.
   Investors should exercise caution.
   The roads are slippery: drive with extreme caution.
  2 : a warning telling someone to be careful
   [  count  ] Her comments were intended as a caution to us to protect our property.
   [  noncount  ] A note/word of caution: be sure that the electricity is off before you install the ceiling fan.
  3 [  count  ] Brit, law : a spoken official warning given to someone who has done something illegal but has not committed a serious crime
   She was given a caution by the magistrate.
  throw/fling/cast caution to the wind
   : to stop being careful and do something that is dangerous or that might result in failure
    After thinking about it for years, he finally threw/flung/cast caution to the wind, quit his job, and started his own company.
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II
  verb  , -tions, -tioned, -tion·ing
  1 : to warn or tell (someone) about a possible danger, problem, etc.
   [  + obj  ] She cautioned me not to decide too quickly. = She cautioned (me) that I shouldn't decide too quickly.
    Officials are cautioning that the war may continue for years.
    “Don't decide too quickly,” she cautioned.
   [  no obj  ]
    — + against
    I would caution against getting involved with him.
   
  2 [  + obj  ] Brit, law : to give a caution to (someone)
   He was cautioned for speeding.