indiscretion

/ˌɪndɪˈskreʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪndɪˈskreʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-di-ˈskre-shən/ (ame, mw)

indiscretion — 名詞

  • indiscretionsingular
  • indiscretionsplural

1. the quality of failing to think carefully before speaking or acting, so that you

1.名詞C1
釋義

輕率；不謹慎

言行缺乏審慎判斷的狀態

the quality of failing to think carefully before speaking or acting, so that you reveal private information or behave in a way that is socially awkward

例句

Fatima regretted her indiscretion after sharing the confidential news with her colleagues.

法蒂瑪把機密消息告訴同事後，對自己的輕率感到後悔。

uncountable noun: the quality, not a single act

A moment of indiscretion cost Wei his job when he posted complaints about the company online.

魏因一時不謹慎，在網路上貼文抱怨公司，因而丟了工作。

同義詞
  • imprudence

    more literary; emphasises lack of wisdom rather than social judgment

  • tactlessness

    narrower; specifically about offending people, not about revealing secrets

  • recklessness

    broader; implies physical danger or risk, not just poor social judgment

反義詞
  • discretion

    the direct opposite; careful thought before speaking or acting

  • prudence

    practical wisdom and caution in handling affairs

文法句型

indiscretion + of + [verb]-ing

moment/act of indiscretion

用法筆記

Frequently uncountable when referring to the general quality or trait. The countable form (an indiscretion) tends to shift toward Sense 2, referring to a specific act. Unlike 'carelessness,' indiscretion specifically involves revealing sensitive information or crossing social boundaries.

常見錯誤

❌He lost his job because of his carelessness with the client's file.' (when the issue was revealing private info).
✅He lost his job because of his indiscretion with the client's file.
💡'carelessness' focuses on accidents; 'indiscretion' focuses on saying or showing something that should have remained private.

2. an action, especially a sexual relationship, that is considered embarrassing or

2.名詞C1
釋義

不檢點

讓人尷尬或違反道德的私事

an action, especially a sexual relationship, that is considered embarrassing or socially unacceptable when it becomes publicly known

例句

The senator was forced to resign after details of his past indiscretions appeared in the newspaper.

參議員過去不檢點的行為細節被報紙披露後，他被迫辭職。

countable, often plural: past indiscretions

Mei-Lin smiled at the old photographs and thought about the youthful indiscretions of her university days.

美琳看著舊照片微笑，想起大學時代那些年輕時的不檢點行為。

collocation: youthful indiscretion

同義詞
  • transgression

    stronger moral or religious connotation; implies knowingly breaking a rule

  • lapse

    gentler; suggests a temporary failure of judgment rather than a habit

  • misstep

    less severe; often used for minor errors in social judgment

反義詞
  • propriety

    socially acceptable, morally correct behaviour

文法句型

past/youthful/sexual + indiscretion(s)

indiscretion + with + [person]

用法筆記

Common in political journalism and formal discussions of private conduct, where it serves as a euphemism for extramarital affairs or morally questionable behaviour. The plural form 'indiscretions' is very frequent and often refers to a pattern rather than a single event.

常見錯誤

❌He apologized for his indiscretion when he accidentally spilled coffee on the carpet.' (a minor accident is not an indiscretion in this sense).
✅He apologized for his youthful indiscretions when the old photos of his college parties surfaced online.
💡Sense 2 requires the act to involve moral judgment or social embarrassment beyond a simple accident.