err on the side of (something)

err on the side of (something)

To prioritize something, perhaps excessively or unnecessarily. Often used in the phrase "err on the side of caution." I like to err on the side of caution and always keep some money in my savings account. Good, I'm glad you erred on the side of good judgment and kept this matter between us. I don't want anyone to know about my resignation yet. Since we don't know where we're going, let's err on the side of caution and leave an hour early.

See also: err, of, on, side

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

err on the side of

act with a specified bias towards something.

1999 Nature Der Sündefall's message may err on the side of alarmism, but it certainly is a good read.

See also: err, of, on, side

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

err on the side of something

show slightly too much rather than too little of a quality, especially a good one: When I am marking exam papers, I always try to err on the side of generosity (= I give slightly higher marks than the students may deserve).

Err is an old-fashioned word meaning ‘make a mistake’.

See also: err, of, on, side, something

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017