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.

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

References in periodicals archive ?

But we also know that everyone would want us to err on the side of caution.

Alaska Airlines Completes Jackscrew Inspections -- No Problems Found

If we are going to err, we will err on the side of the students.

EXIT-EXAM WAITERS SILL WALKING DIPLOMAS ON ICE PENDING COURT RULING

I take the position that violence is such an evil and our ability to control it and justify it is so limited that we must err on the side of peace.

Practical pacifism and the war on terror

If we are going to err, I would hope that we would err on the side of people's property rights, because that is what America is all about,'' said Tony Rondinella, 48, who works in property management.

COUNCIL RESTRICTS HOUSES' SIZES

If I err, I err on the side of believing this is a serious business,'' Williams explained of his anchoring philosophy in a recent interview.

BRIAN WILLIAMS, BROKAW'S SUCCESSOR, A LITTLE BIT STIFF

So rather than err on the side of protecting MacLaren's kids, the county erred on the side of protecting the privacy of its bureaucrats.

EDITORIAL BUREAUCRATIC MIND-SET SO WHAT IF THE COUNTY EMPLOYS CONVICTS TO TAKE CARE OF KIDS?