at the discretion of

Meaning

According to the choice, judgment, or decision-making power of a specific person or authority. It is widely used in corporate policies, employee handbooks, and contracts to state that an action is optional and depends entirely on a manager's or organization's approval.

Examples

• Annual bonuses are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors.

  Annual bonuses are awarded at the discretion of the board of directors.

• Employees may work from home, but this arrangement is at the discretion of their direct supervisor.

  Employees may work from home, but this arrangement is at the discretion of their direct supervisor.

• The company reserves the right to terminate the contract at the discretion of the management.

  The company reserves the right to terminate the contract at the discretion of the management.

• Refunds for damaged goods are issued at the discretion of the store manager.

  Refunds for damaged goods are issued at the discretion of the store manager.

• Whether we extend the deadline is entirely at the discretion of the client.

  Whether we extend the deadline is entirely at the discretion of the client.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The budget approval is at the discrete of the CFO.

  ✓ The budget approval is at the discretion of the CFO.

  'Discrete' means separate or distinct. The correct noun for decision-making power is 'discretion'.

• ✗ We can change the policy on the discretion of the director.

  ✓ We can change the policy at the discretion of the director.

  The standard preposition used with this phrase is 'at', not 'on' or 'with'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Promotions are granted ___ the department head, based on annual performance reviews.

  💡 according to the decision of

  Show answer

  at the discretion of

• Overtime hours must be approved in advance and are left ___ the management.

  💡 dependent on the choice of

  Show answer

  at the discretion of