English

Verb

err on the side of caution

1. (idiomatic) To act in the least risky manner in a situation in which one is uncertain about the consequences.
   • 1867 Jan. 15, "The Impeachment of the President—Probabilities and Possibilities," New York Times p. 4:

     They are all zealous to the last degree in support of the extreme policy. . . . They certainly will not err on the side of caution.

   • 1976 Oct. 29, James J. Kilpatrick, "Bureacracy Infects Drug Industry," St. Petersburg Independent/Washington Star Syndicate, p. 23-A (retrieved 1 Oct 2008):

     In any uncertain situation, government tends to err on the side of caution and delay.

   • 2008 Sept. 17, Kara Gammell, "Cash in on the high interest rates," The Telegraph (UK) (retrieved 1 Oct. 2008):

     But many savers are more concerned with the safety of their deposits and are even spreading their money over several institutions to err on the side of caution.

Translations

See also

• better safe than sorry
• err on the side of