中英文对照注解：

　　a polite way of saying a trial judge has made such a bad mistake （"clearly against reason and evidence" or against established law） during a trial or on ruling on a motion that a person did not get a fair trial. A court of appeals will use a finding of this abuse as a reason to reverse the trial court judgment. In criminal cases abuse of discretion can include sentences that are grossly too harsh. In a divorce action, it includes awarding alimony way beyond the established formula or the spouse's or life partner's realistic ability to pay.

　　在英美法系中，法官有较大的自由裁量权，如果初审法官在审判过程中犯了严重的错误（譬如违背事实和证据、不依据适用的法律）或者作出让当事人得不到公正判决的动议，他的这种行为就有一种文雅的称法：滥用自由裁量权。上诉法院也将把滥用自由裁量权作为撤销初审法院判决的一个理由。在刑事案件中，滥用/自由裁量权包括判决判得过于严重，而在离婚诉讼中，它又指法官所判决的扶养费和生活费超出了法定的标准和配偶的实际支付能力。