better safe than sorry的意思小心總比遺憾好，這個詞我們在口語中經常會聽到，翻譯成我們中文常掛嘴邊的小心駛得萬年船，還是比較貼切的。
我們先看一個例句，體會一下better safe than sorry的含義：
Even though it's not raining now，you should take an umbrella.It's better to be safe than sorry.
雖然現在沒有下雨，你還是應該要帶傘。不要冒這個險。
這個用語常用於給予建議或警告，向對方建議最好採取預防措施，以免日後後悔。其起源可追溯至1837年一位愛爾蘭作家的小說。這個詞的英文解釋是：It is better to expend the time or effort to be cautious with one's actions than to feel regret about one's carelessness later.
看下老外聊天時怎麼用better safe than sorry：
Norma：You should see a doctor about your leg.
你應該讓醫生看看你的腿。
James：It hurts，but I don't think it's that serious.
是會痛，但是我想沒那麼嚴重。
Norma：No，it really looks bad.You really should get it looked at.
不行，看起來很嚴重，你真的應該去給醫生看看。
James：Maybe you're right；it's better to be safe than sorry.
也許你是對的，還是別冒險比較好。
看下幾個例句：
Don't be afraid to have this checked by a doctor — better safe than sorry!
不要害怕找醫生檢查一下——寧求穩妥以免後悔！
This may not be the case with all horses, but, better safe than sorry!
可能不是所有馬都這樣，但是，小心駛得萬年船！
" You could easily have overtaken the truck just now."
" Better safe than sorry," the driver replied.
「你本來一下子就可以超過那輛卡車的。」
「寧求穩妥，以免遺憾。」司機答道。
It's better to be safe than sorry and not take anything home without asking first.
小心總比傷心好，而且事先沒有請求就不要往家裡拿東西。
Mission Control thought it was better to be safe than sorry, so they ordered Armstrong to cut the flight short.
地面指揮人員認為還是穩妥為好，免得事後追悔，所以他們命令阿姆斯特朗縮短航程。
與之相近的含義，還可以用這些詞：
play it safe安全行事
be on the safe side安全為上
don't take chances不要冒險