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What does err on the side of caution mean?

Looking for the meaning or definition of the word err on the side of caution? Here's what it means.

Verb
  1. (idiomatic) To act in the least risky manner in a situation in which one is uncertain about the consequences.
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Examples
If you're in doubt as to whether your fever is serious enough to warrant a call to your doctor, err on the side of caution.
In peacetime, we err on the side of caution, since nothing we do in training is worth the life of one of our soldiers.
City of York Council grits around 50 per cent of the network and there is a determination to err on the side of caution.
When in doubt, always err on the side of caution and do not open, download, or execute files or e-mail attachments.
Given the rising cancer rate, it is best to err on the side of caution, especially for those toxins that serve purely aesthetic purposes!
If you don't know whether or not your roses are winter hardy, err on the side of caution and protect them.

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