err on the side of
idiom
: to use or show more of (something) than may be needed so that one can be sure that he or she is using or showing enough of it
It's better to err on the side of generosity than to appear too stingy.
We chose to err on the side of caution when planning our investments.
Examples of err on the side of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There was a debate in the dressing room over whether to risk playing the Brazilian regardless of the issue, but it was decided to err on the side of caution.
—
Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Hosts and servers sometimes err on the side of too solicitous.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 14 Nov. 2024
If in doubt, err on the side of caution and dispose of the item.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
In trying to find the right balance, many err on the side of overspending.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Hosts and servers sometimes err on the side of too solicitous.
—Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 14 Nov. 2024
If in doubt, err on the side of caution and dispose of the item.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
In trying to find the right balance, many err on the side of overspending.
—Becca Stanek, theweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for err on the side of
Dictionary Entries Near err on the side of
Cite this Entry
“Err on the side of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/err%20on%20the%20side%20of. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
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