better safe than sorry
Prudence prevents regret
Better safe than sorry expresses that taking precautions—even if they prove unnecessary—is wiser than risking a bad outcome.
The phrase justifies caution over convenience: I'll bring an umbrella; better safe than sorry.
It often appears when someone chooses the more cautious of two options, acknowledging they might be overthinking it.
- mitigationReduction of severity
- err on the side of cautionPrefer safety over risk
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- precautionPreventive safety measure
carefulness · due diligence · contingency · backup plan · judgment · self-preservation · peace of mind · insurance · cover your bases · protection · anticipation · foresight · preparedness · risk aversion · risk management · worst-case scenario · planning · strategy
better safe than sorryno guts no glory
go big or go home · throw caution to the wind · live dangerously · risk it for the biscuit · damn the torpedoes
better safe than sorryseize the day
Embrace the present moment
carpe diem · strike while the iron is hot · life is too short
better, sorry, safely, safety, safeness, unsafe, safeguard, sorrier