throw caution to the wind
Meaning: To stop being careful and take a risk.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “She threw caution to the wind, quit her job and opened a bakery in Lisbon.”
Category: Nature
Origin: Something thrown to the wind is scattered and lost. Similar phrases about casting fears or cares to the winds are found from the 17th century; the exact form with "caution" is later, and its first use has not been traced.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Jeter son bonnet par-dessus les moulins — literally: To throw one's bonnet over the windmills
More idioms — Nature
- do a moonlight flit — To leave one's home secretly at night, usually to avoid paying rent or debts.
- in the middle of nowhere — In a very remote place, far from towns.
- out of thin air — Appearing from nowhere, as if by magic.
- be at a low ebb — To be in a poor or weak state.
- the four corners of the earth — Every part of the world.
- like a bolt from the blue — Completely unexpected, usually of bad news.
More English idioms
- a last stand — A final, determined effort to resist, usually when defeat is likely.
- you could hear a pin drop — It was completely silent.
- just to be on the safe side — As an extra precaution, even if it is probably unnecessary.
- perfidious Albion — A mocking name for England or Britain as treacherous and untrustworthy.
- the die is cast — A decision has been made and cannot be undone.
- the be-all and end-all — The most important thing, or the only thing that matters.
From our compliments & insults
- Testa di rapa — A blockhead who isn't thinking.
- Du hast doch einen Vogel — You're a bit out of your mind.
- Du gehst mir auf den Keks — You're getting on my nerves.