Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

err on the side of caution

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.29 in modern English

Syllables: er-r on the side of -cau-tion
IPA

30

Scrabble Score

21

Letters

4

Syllables

13

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Example Sentences

"They are all zealous to the last degree in support of the extreme policy. . . . They certainly will not err on the side of caution."
"In any uncertain situation, government tends to err on the side of caution and delay."
"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."

Inflected Forms

errs on the side of caution (present, singular) erring on the side of caution (participle, present) erred on the side of caution (participle, past) erred on the side of caution (past)

Phrases

abundance of caution better safe than sorry err on the side of give the benefit of the doubt on the safe side

Frequently Paired Words

abundance of caution better safe than sorry err on the side of give the benefit of the doubt on the safe side

Questions

What does err on the side of caution mean?: To act in the least risky manner in a situation in which one is uncertain about the consequences.

How to pronounce err on the side of caution

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