hedge your bets
Cover multiple outcomes
To hedge your bets is to protect yourself against loss by spreading risk across multiple options rather than committing fully to one.
The phrase comes from betting on more than one outcome so you don't lose everything if your main choice fails.
It now applies broadly to any cautious strategy of keeping options open: She hedged her bets by applying to twelve schools.
- betRisked stake on outcome
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- insuranceContractual risk coverage
- safety netProtection against failure
- backup planAlternative if primary fails
plan B · cover · spread · risk · cautious · diversify · play it safe · wait and see · fallback · wager · odds · stakes · safe bet · uncertainty · protect · buffer · contingency · straddle
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- decisionschoice, make a decision, choices, yes, no
- trading slangbull, short, long, dip, pump
- cautioncareful, be careful, cautious, caution, watch out
- self-interestself-interest, selfishness, egoism, look out for number one, every man for himself
hedge your betsbet the farm
Gamble everything on one outcome
go for broke · double down · risk it all · swing for the fences · throw caution to the wind
hedge, hedges, hedged, hedging, hedgerow, hedgehog, bets, betted, betting