cover all the bases
Address every contingency
To cover all the bases is to address every relevant aspect of a situation, anticipating what might go wrong or be needed.
The metaphor comes from baseball, where fielders position themselves to handle any hit.
Before the launch, let's cover all the bases with legal and marketing.
Often suggests thoroughness born of caution rather than inspiration.
- exhaustiveCovering all possibilities
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- dotting the i'sAttending to minutiae
- comprehensiveIncluding all elements
- thoroughComplete in every detail
fallback · plan B · precautionary · safety net · foresightful · inclusive · all-encompassing · systematic · due diligence · proactive · anticipatory · fail-safe · belt-and-suspenders · hedge your bets · risk-averse · safeguard · preemptive · leave no stone unturned
cover all the basesoverlook
Miss or commanding view
drop the ball · cut corners · fall short · phone it in · skimp
cover all the basesfly by the seat of one's pants
Proceed without preparation
throw caution to the wind · gamble · take chances · let one's guard down · take risks
cover, covers, covered, covering, coverage, uncover, uncovered, discover, discovered