Definition
以防万一 is a four-character set phrase meaning 'just in case' or 'to be prepared for all contingencies.' The literal meaning is 'in order to guard against one in ten thousand (chance),' so it's used when you take a precautionary action to avoid a small but possible risk. You typically place it at the end of a sentence to explain why you did something extra.
f.e.
just in caseto be prepared for all contingencies(four-character idiom) precautions against an unlikely but possible event
Examples
- ，以防万一。Kāichē qián zuì hǎo jiǎnchá yíxià chē, yǐ fáng wàn yī.Before driving, it's best to check the car, just in case.
- ，以防万一。Wǒ duō dài le yí jiàn wàitào, yǐ fáng wàn yī.I brought an extra coat, just in case.
- ，，以防万一。Suīrán tiānqì hěn hǎo, tā háishì dài le sǎn, yǐ fáng wàn yī.Although the weather is nice, he still brought an umbrella, just in case.
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