(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry
idiom
—used to say that it is better to be careful now so that problems do not occur later on
It's probably not necessary to check the figures again, but it's better to be safe than sorry.
Examples of (it's) better (to be) safe than sorry in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Under the heading of ‘better safe than sorry,’ a few businesses had already taken precautions to safeguard their executives.
—
Edward Segal, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
This preponderance of non-urgent alarms reflects a ‘better safe than sorry’ philosophy to alarm signaling.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
So, for your well-being and pocketbook, better to be safe than sorry.
—USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
No idea if this is true, but better safe than sorry.
—Ben Goggin, NBC News, 9 Oct. 2023
The odds that any college admissions officers would even look us up seemed slim, but, the thinking went: better safe than sorry.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 3 Aug. 2023
As recent high-profile breaches have taught us, new evidence can come to light weeks or months after the initial attack and investigation, so a better safe than sorry approach harms nobody.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Edward Segal, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
This preponderance of non-urgent alarms reflects a ‘better safe than sorry’ philosophy to alarm signaling.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024
So, for your well-being and pocketbook, better to be safe than sorry.
—USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024
No idea if this is true, but better safe than sorry.
—Ben Goggin, NBC News, 9 Oct. 2023
The odds that any college admissions officers would even look us up seemed slim, but, the thinking went: better safe than sorry.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 3 Aug. 2023
As recent high-profile breaches have taught us, new evidence can come to light weeks or months after the initial attack and investigation, so a better safe than sorry approach harms nobody.
—Davey Winder, Forbes, 10 Feb. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near (it's) better (to be) safe than sorry
Cite this Entry
“(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28it%27s%29%20better%20%28to%20be%29%20safe%20than%20sorry. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share