err on the side of caution
Choose the safer
To err on the side of caution is to choose the safer or more conservative option when facing uncertainty.
Rather than risk a bad outcome, you accept a less optimal but more secure position: When in doubt about the mushroom's edibility, err on the side of caution and don't eat it.
The phrase acknowledges that the cautious choice might be unnecessary—an "error"—but argues it's the wiser mistake to make.
- better safe than sorryPrudence over risk
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- safety firstPrioritize precaution always
- warinessCautious distrust
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
risk aversion · hedge your bets · prudence · harm prevention · conservatism · discretion · cover your bases · preparedness · risk reduction · circumspection · worst case scenario · contingency planning · play it safe · judiciousness · foresight · due diligence · safeguarding · responsibility
- cautioncareful, be careful, watch out, beware, wariness
err on the side of cautionthrow caution to the wind
Act recklessly, disregarding consequences
take a risk · take a chance · go for broke · live dangerously · roll the dice
err on the side of cautionrush in
Enter hastily and recklessly
fly by the seat of one's pants · shoot from the hip · wing it · jump the gun
errors, erroneous, erroneously, errant, errancy, siding, sidelong, sideways, sidewise