Belt and braces

usgb
adjective

Being very careful and using two ways to make sure things are safe or work as they should.

To be completely safe, they used the belt and braces approach, checking and then double checking the work.
Visual representation of "belt and braces" - Being very careful and using two ways to make sure things are safe or work as they should

Often appears as...

  • belt and braces approach
  • belt and braces strategy

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "belt and braces"
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Redundancy Intended

Implying extra precautions were taken even though they might seem unnecessary.

Illustration for Redundancy Intended
Although the alarm was set, he followed a belt and braces method by also having a guard dog.
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British Origin

It's a British expression, so be aware it may not be understood globally.

Illustration for British Origin
Our UK team prefers a belt and braces policy to avoid any risks.
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Primarily Formal

Better suited for formal or business contexts where precision is valued.

Illustration for Primarily Formal
The engineer recommended a belt and braces check of the system before launch.
Visual representation of the word "Belt and braces"

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