err on the side of caution

Meaning: (idiomatic)To act in the leastriskymanner in a situation in which one isuncertainabout theconsequences.1867January 15, “The Impeachment of the President—Probabilities and Possibilities”, inNew York Times, page 4:They are all zealous to the last degree in support of the extreme policy. . . . They certainly will noterr on the side of caution.1976Oct. 29,James J. Kilpatrick, "Bureaucracy Infects Drug Industry,"St. Petersburg Independent/Washington Star Syndicate, p. 23-A(retrieved 1 Oct 2008):In any uncertain situation, government tends toerr on the side of cautionand delay.2008September 17, Kara Gammell, “Cash in on the high interest rates”, inThe Telegraph, UK, retrieved1 October 2008:But many savers are more concerned with the safety of their deposits and are even spreading their money over several institutions toerr on the side of caution.

Examples:

EN: In a case like this, I think we should err on the side of caution.
ES: Por tanto, creo que en un caso así debemos pecar de precavidos.
EN: Well, we certainly want to err on the side of caution.
ES: Bueno, preferimos pecar de prudentes.
EN: Maybe we don't need the village but then again maybe we do, and i think we err on the side of caution this time Captain Doyle
ES: Quizás la necesitemos, quizás no. Hay que ser precavidos con esto.
EN: Normally, go for a third opinion or err on the side of caution.
ES: Normalmente, buscar una tercera opinión o pecar de prudente.
EN: I'd rather err on the side of caution.
ES: Yo me decantaría por la precaución.
EN: It's best to err on the side of caution, Bernard.
ES: Es mejor que cuestionarla Bernard.
EN: It's best to err on the side of caution.
ES: Más vale prevenir.
EN: Although I'd like to agree with you concerning custody... I'm on a slippery slope, and I'd rather err on the side of caution.
ES: Aunque quiera estar de acuerdo sobre la custodia estoy en terreno resbaladizo y prefiero equivocarme con cautela.
EN: But I think we should err on the side of caution.
ES: Pero creo que deberíamos cuidarnos un poco.
EN: I'm going to err on the side of caution.
ES: - Haré lugar a una medida cautelar.
EN: No, but I must err on the side of caution.
ES: No, pero debo errar por el lado de la prudencia
EN: I agree Major. However, until I have a better understanding of what's going on, I'd prefer to err on the side of caution.
ES: Estoy de acuerdo Mayor,Sin embargo hasta que comprendamos mejor de qué va esto, prefiero errar por el lado de la prudencia
EN: She doesn't have to, but I'd rather err on the side of caution.
ES: No es una obligación, pero debemos ser precavidos.
EN: If you have to believe He exists, that means you can just as well not believe it, that there is doubt, and in the case of doubt, err on the side of caution.
ES: "Si hay que creer en su existencia, "quiere decir que podemos creer o no. "Que hay una duda.
EN: Let's err on the side of caution. Hmm?
ES: Es mejor que pequemos de precavidos.

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