err on the side of


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Related to err on the side of: err on the side of caution

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.
See also: err, of, on, side
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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
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References in periodicals archive ?
Also, don't forget to make a budget and err on the side of caution.
Knowing when it's time
The policy will cover lost income and extra expenses caused by shutting the plant down, and is designed to encourage plants to err on the side of caution and close shop if a hurricane is looming, Ace said.
Pull the plug
But why not err on the side of caution and seek to find ways to terminate pregnancies in the most humane ways possible for both the woman and the fetus?
Religious left
He also cites with approval the Precautionary Principle; to wit, "It is better to err on the side of protecting human and environmental safety than to err on the side of the risks" (p.
Food for Thought. (Book Review)
Societies that err on the side of too much conformity lose the ability to innovate and adapt to changing conditions and, hence, they eventually fail.
Literacy is everything. (creative controversy)
That may be so, but the government has decided to err on the side of caution.
Landlords not taking terrorist threats lightly
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