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
Even a seemingly small bump or bruise can worsen later, so err on the side of caution.
—
Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
However, Pillard seemed primed to err on the side of caution.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
Wes Benjamin Injured: Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Matt Waldron
The Padres entered this spring intending to err on the side of caution with Darvish.
—Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Streaming services, too, continue to err on the side of caution, attempting to balance artistic freedom, commercial success, and public sensibilities.
—Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for err on the side of
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Sponsored Content, Denver Post, 30 Apr. 2025
However, Pillard seemed primed to err on the side of caution.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
Wes Benjamin Injured: Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Matt Waldron
The Padres entered this spring intending to err on the side of caution with Darvish.
—Dennis Lin, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025
Streaming services, too, continue to err on the side of caution, attempting to balance artistic freedom, commercial success, and public sensibilities.
—Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 8 May. 2025.
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