Example
“The clinic chose to err on the side of caution and postponed the procedure.”
Dictionary details
Related idioms
Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.
out of the question
CEFR B1completely impossible or not permitted
Neutral
sign on the dotted line
CEFR B1to commit yourself formally by signing an agreement
Neutral
slippery slope
CEFR B1a course of action that seems small or harmless but leads, step by step, to a serious or disastrous result
Neutral
take it or leave it
CEFR B1accept an offer exactly as presented or reject it entirely
Neutral
make or break
CEFR B2to be the single decisive factor between success and failure
Neutral
take a dim view of
CEFR B2To judge something negatively or regard it with doubt or disapproval.
Neutral
Source methodology
Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.