[vil]

Dear teachers,

There is an expression (please see below the written in bold) which attracted my attention.

"It’s a fairly classical case and any other diagnosis is quite unlikely, but we do need to check a few other things, just to be on the safe side."

Would you be kind enough explain to me the genesis of the mentioned above expression.

I know the following meaning about the present expression namely “if you do something to be on the safe side you do it as a precaution, in case something unexpected happens” as in:

“I will be back in an hour, but just to be on the safe side, I’d give you a number you can call in case you need me.”

From the second hand I know another meaning namely “avoiding danger, with a margin for error” as in:

Just to be on the safe side, let’s order another hundred chairs.”

I think the point of the matter consists in the meaning “just in case” , “be ready for any eventuality”.

Regards.

V.