What Does "Err on the Side of Caution" Mean?
"Err on the side of caution" is an English idiom. It means "to act in the most secure or safest way when faced with potential danger or uncertainty."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "err on the side of caution" used in a sentence:- In these conditions, I'd err on the side of caution and not drive.
- It's best to err on the side of caution when investing large sums of money.
- Given the ambiguity of the symptoms, the doctor decided to err on the side of caution and order more tests.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Err on the Side of Caution" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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