err on the side of caution

Meaning

To choose the safest, most conservative, or most careful course of action when faced with uncertainty or risk. It implies that if you must make a mistake, it is better to make one that is overly safe.

Examples

• Given the unstable market conditions, we decided to err on the side of caution and delay the launch.

  Given the unstable market conditions, we decided to err on the side of caution and delay the launch.

• It is always better to err on the side of caution when drafting legal contracts.

  It is always better to err on the side of caution when drafting legal contracts.

• The safety inspectors preferred to err on the side of caution and shut down the machinery.

  The safety inspectors preferred to err on the side of caution and shut down the machinery.

• Although the forecast is clear, we should err on the side of caution and bring extra supplies.

  Although the forecast is clear, we should err on the side of caution and bring extra supplies.

• I chose to err on the side of caution and get a second opinion from another specialist.

  I chose to err on the side of caution and get a second opinion from another specialist.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We should err on the cautious side.

  ✓ We should err on the side of caution.

  While understandable, the standard, fixed idiomatic phrase in English is 'err on the side of caution'.

• ✗ He erred on the side of risk to make more money.

  ✓ He took a risk to make more money.

  The idiom 'err on the side of...' is almost exclusively paired with 'caution' or occasionally positive virtues like 'generosity'. It is not typically used with negative or risky traits.

Related Expressions

Practice

• With the budget so tight, we should ___ and cut back on non-essential spending.

  💡 be safe and conservative

  Show answer

  err on the side of caution

• When dealing with sensitive customer data, it is always best to ___.

  💡 choose the safest option

  Show answer

  err on the side of caution