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
Polk said the astronaut is stable but that diagnostic uncertainty in microgravity prompted NASA to err on the side of bringing the crew member back to Earth.
—
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Booking timelines also vary depending on the type of trip, but err on the side of planning your charter well in advance to ensure access to your preferred railcar.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
The suggestion, in other words, is that the chatbot should err on the side of permissiveness in response to user prompts for erotic material.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for err on the side of
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.
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Booking timelines also vary depending on the type of trip, but err on the side of planning your charter well in advance to ensure access to your preferred railcar.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Jan. 2026
The suggestion, in other words, is that the chatbot should err on the side of permissiveness in response to user prompts for erotic material.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
When in doubt, err on the side of caution.
—Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 29 Dec. 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 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
