How to Use err on the side of in a Sentence

err on the side of

idiom
Definition of err on the side ofnext
  • Buttigieg for instance, may prefer to err on the side of caution when describing the challenges ahead.
    — Kevin O'Marah, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
  • Some displays tend to err on the side of scary, while others are spooky-chic.
    — Lizzy Rosenberg, Peoplemag, 8 Oct. 2023
  • The key, when cooking them, is to err on the side of less water, so your grains end up pearly and distinct.
    — Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
  • So, err on the side of caution and don't touch your eyes without washing your hands.
    — Susan Brickell, Health, 9 Mar. 2023
  • The best advice is often the simplest: When in doubt, err on the side of caution and comfort.
    — Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 3 Nov. 2022
  • To give this palette a modern spin, err on the side of earth tones as opposed to the bright, campy colors of decades past.
    — Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023
  • Use your senses and, when in doubt, err on the side of undermixing.
    — Chris Morocco, Bon Appétit, 24 Mar. 2023
  • The isolation approach is designed to err on the side of caution.
    — Dustin Webber, Forbes, 11 July 2022
  • Of course baby + rambunctious dog = err on the side of caution.
    — Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2023
  • There were times last season, Finch said, when he was tempted to err on the side of rest with his young Timberwolves team.
    — Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 28 Oct. 2022
  • Roberts, who will err on the side of shorter stints with his starters after losing Buehler, was thrilled with the resistance.
    — Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2022
  • But law enforcement agencies err on the side of caution.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN, 30 Oct. 2023
  • Even more so than the original game, this version takes care to err on the side of absurdity and heart over anger and spite.
    — Sam MacHkovech, Ars Technica, 27 Apr. 2022
  • But, to err on the side of caution, people should not consume the affected crackers.
    — Julia Landwehr, Health, 21 Aug. 2023
  • For a choke, go no tighter than Modified and err on the side of a wider choke—Improved being the ideal constriction.
    — Matthew Every, Field & Stream, 18 Oct. 2023
  • But for the most part, the Academy tries to err on the side of inclusiveness in this category.
    — Paul Grein, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2022
  • Again, consider the ever-expanding palette that the bride may be playing with—and when in doubt, err on the side of caution.
    — Maria Ward, Vogue, 12 Oct. 2023
  • Powell noted that the Fed continues to err on the side of caution on inflation.
    — Paul R. La Monica, CNN, 1 Feb. 2023
  • In general, err on the side of slightly larger to ensure comfort.
    — Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, 8 June 2023
  • If there's a real wobble going on, err on the side of caution, and leave them in for a few additional minutes.
    — Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 29 July 2023
  • With the weight of the workforce, the bottom line, and the company’s future on their shoulders, leaders are generally told to err on the side of caution.
    — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 8 Nov. 2023
  • If in doubt as to whether there are utility lines present, err on the side of calling to have the utilities located for your property.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
  • If in doubt as to whether there are utility lines present, err on the side of calling to have the utilities located for your property.
    — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023
  • Until then, districts will continue to 'err on the side of caution' as they have been told to do at the expense of our children's education.
    — Li Cohen, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2024
  • Some edible mushrooms are nearly identical to toxic ones, which is a great reason to err on the side of caution.
    — Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2023
  • Jassy said the company had made the decision early in the pandemic to err on the side of having too many workers and too much warehouse space rather than too little.
    — Emily Chang, Fortune, 9 June 2022
  • In the super-secretive world of the NFL, prying eyes are rarely a good thing, which is why teams err on the side of caution on public days and tend to keep things relatively basic.
    — Tim Reynolds, ajc, 30 July 2022
  • Critics say some prosecutors err on the side of inaction.
    — Agreen, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023
  • Critics say some prosecutors err on the side of inaction.
    — Agreen, oregonlive, 26 Jan. 2023
  • Always err on the side of caution and make responsible choices when using this cannabinoid.
    — Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 31 Aug. 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'err on the side of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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