(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry

phrase

—used to say that it is better to be careful now so that problems do not occur later on

It's probably not necessary to check the figures again, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Examples of (it's) better (to be) safe than sorry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

So, if you're prompted to download and install an update by your car's infotainment screen, better to be safe than sorry. — Charles Singh, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 Even savvy healthcare consumers – aka patients – will have a hard time reining in healthcare spending in the face of physicians preaching an ethic of better safe than sorry. — Peter Ubel, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025 Even a kitty who drinks the water that lilies have been sitting in is at risk, so, better safe than sorry. — Dr. Devon B. Smith, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025 Under the heading of ‘better safe than sorry,’ a few businesses had already taken precautions to safeguard their executives. — Edward Segal, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 This preponderance of non-urgent alarms reflects a ‘better safe than sorry’ philosophy to alarm signaling. — Cara Lynn Shultz, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 So, for your well-being and pocketbook, better to be safe than sorry. — USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2024

Browse Nearby Words

it's a wash

(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry

it's getting late

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%28it%27s%29%20better%20%28to%20be%29%20safe%20than%20sorry. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry

phrase

Examples of (it's) better (to be) safe than sorry in a Sentence

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

comely

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes