discretion
noun /dɪˈskreʃn/
/dɪˈskreʃn/
[uncountable]Word Family
Idioms - discreet adjective (≠ indiscreet)
- discretion noun (≠ indiscretion)
- I'll leave it up to you to use your discretion.
- How much to tell terminally ill patients is left to the discretion of the doctor.
Extra Examples- ‘Do you want me to do the job myself or hire a photographer?’ ‘I'll leave it to your discretion.’
- Judges should be given more discretion over sentencing.
- She has considerable discretion as to how the money is spent.
- The courts exercise discretion in the area of minor traffic violations.
- The president used his executive discretion to pardon the two men.
- The school governors have absolute discretion over which pupils they admit.
- They give themselves complete discretion as to what information they will hand out.
- They would like local authorities to be given greater discretion as to how the money is spent.
- We have discretion about how much to charge.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- broad
- considerable
- full
- …
- have
- exercise
- use
- …
- at somebody’s discretion
- discretion about
- discretion as to
- …
- an abuse of discretion
- the exercise of discretion
- leave something to somebody’s (own) discretion
- …
- This is confidential, but I know that I can rely on your discretion.
- Jane is the soul of discretion (= you can trust her).
- Use the utmost discretion when you talk to her.
Extra ExamplesTopics Personal qualitiesc1- to conduct enquiries with discretion.
- to act with discretion
- This case calls for the utmost discretion.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- the utmost
- call for
- need
- require
- …
- with discretion
- a lack of discretion
- a need for discretion
Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense‘ to show good judgement’): via Old French from Latin discretio(n-) ‘separation’ (in late Latin ‘discernment’), from discernere, from dis- ‘apart’ + cernere ‘to separate’.
Idioms
at somebody’s discretion
- 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.
discretion is the better part of valour
- (saying) you should avoid danger and not take unnecessary risksTopics Dangerc2