a wave of caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of caution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden increase in cautious behavior or sentiment among a group of people. Example: "After the recent events, there was a wave of caution among investors, leading to a slowdown in market activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A wave of caution dampened the mood.

The New York Times

Indeed, no full-time starters were dealt as a wave of caution and fiscal conservatism swept the league, which is adjusting to a highly restrictive new labor deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Sectors of Note Real Estate: The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Real Estate Index Fund (IYR) retreated last week, as uncertainty ahead of Tuesday's midterm elections and Wednesday's potential Federal Reserve action flooded Wall Street with a wave of caution.

Forbes

The result, he said, has been a wave of caution, with Americans paying down old debts, thinking twice about new borrowing and keeping cash on hand as a safeguard.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a time of euphoria about democracy around the globe, "From Voting to Violence" serves as a useful caution against a wave of electoral triumphalism.

The New York Times - Books

But investment bankers and analysts cautioned that a wave of mergers was unlikely, given the high prices of many savings and loan stocks.

The New York Times

The Office of Fair Trading believes many may already have fallen victim to fraudsters, with one in 12 ticket buyers caught out by scams involving tickets which do not arrive or are fake, while Fifa has cautioned against a wave of illicit emails informing people that they have won World Cup tickets in bogus lotteries.

The Guardian - Money

There are still the prospects for volatility to return, analysts caution, because of persistent worries that a wave of sovereign and banking defaults will swamp the euro zone.

The New York Times

They cautioned against getting stuck in an obsolete industrial past and predicted a wave of changes in family formation and business organization.

Los Angeles Times

A result was a wave of refugees.

The New York Times

A wave of guilt washed over me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of caution" to describe a widespread and noticeable increase in cautious behavior within a specific group or context. It's effective when highlighting a shift in attitude or actions.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "a wave of caution" in very casual conversations. It's more suitable for formal writing or discussions where you want to convey a sense of significant, collective cautiousness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of caution" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes a general feeling or attitude of wariness that spreads among a group, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of caution" is a phrase used to describe a widespread increase in cautiousness, typically in response to specific events or circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal and neutral contexts, such as news reports and business communications. While not overly common, it effectively conveys a sense of heightened awareness and careful behavior. Related phrases include "a surge of prudence" and "increased guardedness", providing alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of prudence

Replaces "caution" with "prudence", suggesting a more thoughtful and deliberate form of cautiousness.

a period of hesitancy

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the caution, framing it as a distinct period of hesitation.

an upswing in skepticism

Focuses on the increasing doubt and questioning attitude rather than general cautiousness.

a rise in circumspection

Highlights the careful and watchful nature of the cautious behavior.

growing reluctance

Emphasizes the unwillingness to proceed without careful consideration.

increased guardedness

Stresses the defensive posture and careful protection of interests.

heightened vigilance

Suggests a state of increased alertness and watchfulness to avoid potential dangers.

a climate of apprehension

Shifts the focus to the overall atmosphere of anxiety and unease.

a trend of risk aversion

Specifically describes an inclination to avoid potentially risky situations.

a cautious approach

A more general alternative emphasizing the method of caution, rather than a surge of it.

FAQs

How can I use "a wave of caution" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of caution" to describe a sudden increase in cautious behavior or sentiment. For example, "After the economic downturn, "a wave of caution" swept through the investment community".

What's the difference between ""a wave of caution"" and "a note of caution"?

"A wave of caution" suggests a widespread increase in cautious behavior, while "a note of caution" is a warning or reminder to be careful.

Which is a more formal way to say ""a wave of caution""?

More formal alternatives include "a surge of prudence" or "increased guardedness", which convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

What are some contexts where I might see ""a wave of caution"" used?

You're likely to see ""a wave of caution"" used in news reports, financial analysis, or discussions about public policy, where there's a noticeable shift towards more cautious behavior.