err on the side of caution

present singular third person errs on the side of caution · participle present erring on the side of caution · participle past erred on the side of caution · past erred on the side of caution

1. idiomaticTo act in the least risky manner in a situation in which one is uncertain about the consequences.

   In any uncertain situation, government tends to err on the side of caution and delay.

   1976 Oct. 29, James J. Kilpatrick, "Bureaucracy Infects Drug Industry," St. Petersburg Independent/Washington Star Syndicate, p. 23-A (retrieved 1 Oct 2008)

   2 more examples

   They are all zealous to the last degree in support of the extreme policy. . . . They certainly will not err on the side of caution.

   1867 January 15, “The Impeachment of the President—Probabilities and Possibilities”, in New York Times, page 4

   But many savers are more concerned with the safety of their deposits and are even spreading their money over several institutions to err on the side of caution.

   2008 September 17, Kara Gammell, “Cash in on the high interest rates”, in The Telegraph, UK, retrieved 01 Oct 2008