err on the side of

== English == === Pronunciation === === Verb === err on the side of (third-person singular simple present errs on the side of, present participle erring on the side of, simple past and past participle erred on the side of) (transitive, idiomatic) To behave in a manner which favours or which is biased toward. To choose which mistake (err) will be perpetuated when all available options would result in different mistakes. ==== Usage notes ==== Since the early 20th century, this expression is most commonly used in err on the side of caution. ==== Translations ====