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
However, where the SEALs were concerned, there’s a cultural thing within those guys which is to absolutely err on the side of self-deprecation and humility.
—
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 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 call for just one rate reduction, potentially generating further market turmoil.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for err on the side of
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Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 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 call for just one rate reduction, potentially generating further market turmoil.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 19 Mar. 2025
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
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 21 May. 2025.
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