throw caution to the wind
Act without restraint
To throw caution to the wind is to abandon careful deliberation and act boldly or recklessly: She threw caution to the wind and quit her job to travel.
The image is of releasing restraint into the air, letting it blow away.
The phrase often describes impulsive decisions that disregard consequences.
- devil-may-careCheerfully unconcerned about danger
- damn the torpedoesDisregard peril, advance anyway
- foolhardyRecklessly bold
- daredevilReckless risk-taker
- recklessCarelessly ignoring danger
live dangerously · daring · rash · spontaneity · carpe diem · exhilaration · audacious · no holds barred · liberation · take the plunge · nonchalant · defiance · dare · risk · gamble · leap · bold · impulsive
- Weather Idiomsunder the weather, when it rains it pours, come rain or shine, rain check, take a rain check
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- impulsive actionsspur of the moment, on a whim, snap decision, knee-jerk reaction, rush in
throw caution to the windplay it safe
Avoid unnecessary chances
err on the side of caution · hedge one's bets · proceed with caution · tread carefully · cover one's bases
throw caution to the windhold back
Prevent forward movement
think twice · get cold feet · lose one's nerve · chicken out · hesitate
throws, thrown, throwing, thrower, caution, cautions, cautioned, cautioning, cautious