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
Streaming services, too, continue to err on the side of caution, attempting to balance artistic freedom, commercial success, and public sensibilities.
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Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
But with inflation still elevated and consumers’ inflation expectations rising, some say the central bank could err on the side of caution and reduce its forecast to just one rate reduction, potentially generating further market turmoil.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
But though his film could certainly use a little more in the way of narrative and perhaps even context, Fund is probably right to err on the side of mystery, coming to no certain conclusions as to the veracity of Anika’s gift and her family’s motivations for exploiting it.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Today, Oatly enjoys 50% recognition in the U.S. When contemplating a big spend, there will always be the temptation to err on the side of over-caution.
—Tripp Westbrook, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for err on the side of
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Viren Naidu, IndieWire, 2 Apr. 2025
But with inflation still elevated and consumers’ inflation expectations rising, some say the central bank could err on the side of caution and reduce its forecast to just one rate reduction, potentially generating further market turmoil.
—Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025
But though his film could certainly use a little more in the way of narrative and perhaps even context, Fund is probably right to err on the side of mystery, coming to no certain conclusions as to the veracity of Anika’s gift and her family’s motivations for exploiting it.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 20 Feb. 2025
Today, Oatly enjoys 50% recognition in the U.S. When contemplating a big spend, there will always be the temptation to err on the side of over-caution.
—Tripp Westbrook, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
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 30 Apr. 2025.
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