err on the side of something
err on the side of (something)
To prioritize something, perhaps excessively or unnecessarily. Often used in the phrase "err on the side of caution." I like to err on the side of caution and always keep some money in my savings account.
See also: err, of, on, side
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
err on the side of something
show slightly too much rather than too little of a quality, especially a good one: When I am marking exam papers, I always try to err on the side of generosity (= I give slightly higher marks than the students may deserve). Err is an old-fashioned word meaning ‘make a mistake’.
See also: err, of, on, side, something
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- err on the side of
- err on the side of (something)
- err on the side of caution
- out of an abundance of caution
- err
- err on the right side
- come down on the side of (someone or something)
- come down/out on the side of somebody/something
- bob and weave
- come out on the side of (someone or something)