dis·cre·tion 
/dɪˈskrɛʃən/ noun
/dɪˈskrɛʃən/ noun [noncount] 1 : the right to choose what should be done in a particular situation
▪ Each artist in the gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for his or her work. ▪ The coach used/exercised his own discretion to let the injured quarterback play. ▪ The amount each person contributes will be left to the discretion of the individual. [=each person will decide how much he or she will contribute] ▪ Because of the violence in the movie, parental discretion is advised. [=parents are advised to think about whether or not they want their children to see the movie] ◊Something that is done at your discretion is done if, how, when, etc., you choose to do it.
▪ You can cancel the service at your (own) discretion. [=you can cancel the service whenever you choose] ▪ Exactly how much to tip a server is at the discretion of the customer. 2 : the quality of being careful about what you do and say so that people will not be embarrassed or offended : the quality of being discreet
▪ He always uses care and discretion when dealing with others. ▪ She handled the awkward situation with great discretion. ▪ She is the soul of discretion. [=she is very discreet] — opposite indiscretion
▪ Each artist in the gallery has discretion over the price that will be charged for his or her work. ▪ The coach used/exercised his own discretion to let the injured quarterback play. ▪ The amount each person contributes will be left to the discretion of the individual. [=each person will decide how much he or she will contribute] ▪ Because of the violence in the movie, parental discretion is advised. [=parents are advised to think about whether or not they want their children to see the movie] ◊Something that is done at your discretion is done if, how, when, etc., you choose to do it.
▪ You can cancel the service at your (own) discretion. [=you can cancel the service whenever you choose] ▪ Exactly how much to tip a server is at the discretion of the customer.
▪ He always uses care and discretion when dealing with others. ▪ She handled the awkward situation with great discretion. ▪ She is the soul of discretion. [=she is very discreet] — opposite indiscretion
discretion is the better part of valor
— used to say that it is better to be careful than to do something that is dangerous and unnecessary
