hedge one's bets
Spread your wagers
To hedge one's bets is to reduce risk by spreading investments or commitments across multiple options rather than relying on a single outcome.
The phrase comes from betting: if you wager on more than one horse, you limit potential losses.
It now applies broadly to cautious strategies: She hedged her bets by applying to twelve schools.
The approach sacrifices maximum gain for protection against total loss.
Careful, wise judgment
- warinessCautious distrust
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
forethought · judiciousness · safeguard · restraint · reserve · deliberation · precaution · backup plan
Lack of firm belief
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
- ambivalenceConflicting emotions coexisting
noncommittal · equivocation · indecision · fence-sitting · wavering · reservations · qualification · conditional
To distribute widely
- diversifyExpand into new areas
- portfolioCollected works or assets
- allocationDistribution of shares
- alternativesOther available options
variety · splitting · distributing · range
prudence
Careful, wise judgment
- warinessCautious distrust
- circumspectionCareful consideration of consequences
- discretionCareful judgment in speech
carefulness · forethought · judiciousness · safeguard · restraint · reserve · deliberation · precaution · backup plan · contingency
doubt
Lack of firm belief
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- tentativenessState of being uncertain
ambivalence · noncommittal · equivocation · indecision · fence-sitting · wavering · reservations · qualification · conditional · provisional
spread
To distribute widely
- diversifyExpand into new areas
- portfolioCollected works or assets
- allocationDistribution of shares
alternatives · variety · splitting · distributing · range
hedge one's betsgo all in
Wager everything available
bet the farm · put all one's eggs in one basket · go for broke · double down · risk it all
hedge one's betsgo out on a limb
Take a risk
stick one's neck out · put one's money where one's mouth is · stand behind
hedge one's betsgo all out
Commit completely, withhold nothing
take a stand · burn one's bridges · burn one's boats · cross the Rubicon
hedge, hedges, hedged, hedging, hedgerow, bets, betting, bettor, bettors