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This idiom uses the verb "err" not the noun error.
To "err on the side of caution" is to take extra care, possibly unnecessary care, rather than potentially cause danger or mishap. This is usually applied in a situation where the actual riskinvolved cannot be clearly determined.
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Air on the side of caution?
err on the side of caution.
What does err on the side?
To err is to be mistaken or incorrect or to stray from the right course of accepted standards. Also to act with bias, as in to err on the side of justice
What is the homophone for err?
In some dialects, "air."
How do you spell safety?
The phrase is "err on the safe side" meaning that if a mistake (error) could be made, it is better to be too cautious, or make it in the less dangerous manner.
How do your pronounce err as in 'err on the side of caution'?
Please note: the answer below is a spoof. Continue in your search, or you will sound ignorant to those who know that to err is human. To 'air' is just careless. You would, ideally, pronounce the word as when saying 'air.' Though upon first glance, it may seem as 'err' is prounced as if you were slightly confused and merely making a noise to fill a space of awkward silence, 'err' is also seen in the much cliched phrase: "to err is human." In this phrase, 'err' stands for the first part of 'error' which gets a sound much like sayign the word 'air' which brings me back to my original point. Or, you could say it with a slight British accent that is a cross between the two pronunciations. Then, you would seem to have a mysterious, sophisticated air similar to that of an English professor at Oxford. Or, even better, you could just race through the word and hope that no one notices. :) So I thought I should clarify: I don't normally talk like that big paragraph I just typed. I just wanted to write like a know-it-all snob. Fooled ya! XD
