better safe than sorry
1 of 1sentence/ˈbɛtər ˈseɪf ðæn ˈsɔri/
1
used to suggest that it is preferable to take precautions and be cautious in order to avoid problems or regret later on
The origin of the proverb "better safe than sorry" is believed to come from 18th-century English, though its exact source is unclear. This saying emphasizes that it is wiser to be cautious, even if it seems unnecessary at the time, rather than taking risks that could lead to more serious consequences. It serves as a reminder that avoiding harm through careful actions is often better than dealing with the aftermath of mistakes or oversights.
- Better safe than sorry, so I wore a helmet while biking, even though I wasn’t going fast.
- We should probably invest in a good home security system.Better safe than sorry, right?
- She made sure to back up all her files before the system upgrade.Better safe than sorry.
- We bought a backup generator, better safe than sorry, since the storm was coming.
- We arrived early for the concert, better safe than sorry, to avoid missing the opening act.