cautiously optimistic

cautiously optimistic

Generally confident regarding a situation and/or its outcome while still maintaining a readiness for possible difficulties or failure. I've prepared for this exam for weeks, so I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that it will turn out well. It's best to be cautiously optimistic when starting any new business.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • cautious optimism
  • be in fighting trim
  • trim
  • on red alert
  • on one's toes, to be
  • be another matter
  • be another thing
  • be another/a different matter
  • not out of the wood
  • not out of the woods
References in periodicals archive
With a maximum daytime temperature of 7C forecast on Tuesday with no overnight frost previously, I am cautiously optimistic.
"The Office for National Statistics is cautiously optimistic that over 90 per cent of the forms which were sent out have been returned or will be in the coming few days."
In the Middle East, Barclays plans to hire in wealth management, investment banking and retail, and Vitalo said he's "cautiously optimistic" on the fee pool for capital markets and advisory.
Gemma Wilson, who co-ordinated protests against the plans, said: "We are cautiously optimistic and they do appear to have listened to our concerns.'' Clr Cath Harris said: "We are broadening our support to a far greater number of children and young people so we can capture their needs more effectively.''?
Instead, they measure their responses with phrases such as "cautiously optimistic," an ambiguity that can drive reporters mad, but in these uncertain times seems so apropos.
" I think we are cautiously optimistic that these first couple of rounds since the new UN negotiator was appointed are beginning to show promise, that the sides are showing very serious purpose in the way that they are engaging, that we are now beginning to see the start of real negotiations," the official said.
LIKE most Evertonians I am cautiously optimistic after the draw for the Europa League round of 32.
"The directors are cautiously optimistic that sales of PS162.9m - an increase of 22% - can be maintained.
In late August, suppliers were cautiously optimistic that at least part of the increase (1-3 [cents]) would finally get through.
The head of BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) in Korea has said that he is cautiously optimistic about South Korea's economy.
Mr Mackay said: "I do remain cautiously optimistic that contracts will be secured for BiFab but of course we need to ensure that the benefits need to reach the wider supply chain of renewables in Scotland."
Allied Pilots Association, the group that represents American Airlines (AAL) pilots, said they were cautiously optimistic with Boeing's (BA) progress on a 737 MAX fix, Tracy Rucinski of Reuters reported.
Most biologists and park officials are cautiously optimistic that the new project or the wolves will see the second anniversary of the wolf recovery project.
Jack Barnds, senior economist for the National Bank of Detroit, presented a cautiously optimistic economic forecast through the rest of 1991 and into 1992.
If these changes take place -- and the council seems cautiously optimistic that they will -- then Japan will thrive, the council says, and anyone writing off the world's second largest economy does so at their own risk.