Better safe than sorry

1. It is better to act cautiously beforehand than to suffer afterward.

Idioms and Phrases

Being careful may avoid disaster, as in I'm not taking any short-cuts—better safe than sorry. This cautionary phrase appeared as better sure than sorry in 1837.

Example Sentences

All the same, better safe than sorry.

From Seattle Times

“So much of pregnancy advice is based on fear and a ‘better safe than sorry’ sort of framework.”

From Science Magazine

Many people take a bit of this, and a bit of that, so better safe than sorry.

From Washington Times

With so many lives lost there, he said, officials may have felt they were “better safe than sorry.”

From Los Angeles Times

Since your emergency may not come with a forecast and time to prepare, better safe than sorry.

From Seattle Times