cover one's bases
Anticipate all contingencies
To cover one's bases is to prepare for multiple possibilities or protect against various risks.
The phrase comes from baseball, where fielders must position themselves at bases to prevent runners from advancing.
In general use, it means taking precautions to handle whatever might happen: I'm covering my bases by applying to several schools.
Someone who covers their bases anticipates problems before they arise.
- mitigationReduction of severity
- contingencyUncertain possible event
- plan BAlternative when primary fails
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
- prioritizationRanking by importance
safety net · hedge your bets · readiness · insurance · rainy day fund · belt and suspenders · foresight · redundancy · protective measures · thoroughness · safeguards · anticipation · fail-safe · groundwork · due diligence · dotting the i's · damage control · resource allocation
cover one's baseswing it
Act without preparation
fly by the seat of one's pants · drop the ball · throw caution to the wind · fly blind · cut corners
cover one's basesput all one's eggs in one basket
Risk all on one venture
go all in · bet the farm · roll the dice · take a flyer · shoot from the hip
cover, covers, covered, covering, coverage, uncover, uncovered, discover, discovered