just to be on the safe side

Meaning: As an extra precaution, even if it is probably unnecessary.

Example: “The forecast says sun, but I'm packing an umbrella just to be on the safe side.”

Origin: "On the safe side" is recorded from the 18th century, with the image of staying on the side of a line where no harm can come.

Equivalents in other languages

the die is cast A decision has been made and cannot be undone.
sell one's soul to the devil To give up one's principles in exchange for money, power or success.
eat humble pie To admit one was wrong and apologize humbly.
play devil's advocate To argue against something, not out of belief, but to test the argument.
every which way In all directions, in disorder.
a Tower of Babel A noisy scene where many people speak different languages, or a confusion of voices.

Tricky phrases to practice out loud, from languages around the world.

Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. Alternating repetition — the consonants swap at the start of every other word, which is w…
Red lorry, yellow lorry. The 'l/r' alternation drill — deceptively short, yet almost impossible to say fast withou…
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? A 'w/ch/ck' drill that accelerates comically — and nobody really knows the answer.

Keep exploring