err on the side of caution
/ˌɜːr ɒn ðə ˌsaɪd əv ˈkɔːʃn/NEUTRAL · C1
Meaning
to choose the safer option to avoid any risk
Examples
- 1The forecast wasn't clear, so we erred on the side of caution and packed our coats.
- 2If you're not sure about a food allergy, always err on the side of caution.
- 3When the heating broke, the school decided to err on the side of caution and close early.
- 4Ben erred on the side of caution and left for the airport three hours early.
- 5Should we err on the side of caution and book a bigger room, in case more people come?
Grammar
Only err changes: errs, erring, erred. Keep on the side of fixed. and plus a verb often names the safe choice.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about decisions
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →set in stonefixed and impossible to alterchop and changeto keep switching your plans or opinionsburn your bridgesto do something that makes it impossible to go back latera leap in the darka risky choice when you cannot know the resultthe die is casta decision has been made and now cannot be undonetake the plungeto finally decide to do something important or risky
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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