Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

better safe than sorry

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.75 in modern English

Syllables: bet-ter safe than sor-ry
IPA

30

Scrabble Score

19

Letters

3

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

It is preferable to be cautious in one's choices and actions than to act recklessly and suffer afterwards.

Example Sentences

"Moreover, apart from official restrictions, drivers do not a little easing of their engines on their own account, where they consider that the feel of the track makes this desirable; and they can hardly be blamed in consequence. It is better to be safe than sorry."
"But I'll be stumbling away / Slowly learning that life is OK / Say after me / It's no better to be safe than sorry"

Phrases

err on the side of caution measure twice, cut once better late than never play it safe prevention is better than cure

Frequently Paired Words

err on the side of caution measure twice, cut once better late than never play it safe prevention is better than cure

Rhymes With

sorry quarry lorry corrie wari

Questions

What does better safe than sorry mean?: It is preferable to be cautious in one's choices and actions than to act recklessly and suffer afterwards.

How to pronounce better safe than sorry

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “better safe than sorry”.
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