hedging bets
Spreading the risk
Hedging bets means protecting yourself against loss by supporting more than one outcome.
The phrase comes from gambling—placing secondary wagers to offset potential losses on a primary bet.
In general use, it describes any strategy of not committing fully to one option: She's hedging her bets by applying to ten schools.
Someone who hedges their bets avoids going all in.
- cautionCareful attention to risk
- playing it safeAvoiding unnecessary risk
- safetyFreedom from harm
- insuranceContractual risk coverage
- safety netProtection against failure
wager · gamble · risk · risk management · backup · plan B · diversify · portfolio · spread · covering · protect · odds · stake · cautious · fence-sitting · sitting on the fence · fallback · cushion
- gamblinggamble, gambling, casinos, casino, wager
- indecisionindecision, indecisiveness, conflicted, hesitation, indecisive
- gambling tacticsbasic strategy, card counting, running count, pot odds, probability
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- precautionscaution, double-checking, verifying, safety checks, checking mirrors
hedging betsbetting the farm
Risking everything on one outcome
going for broke · doubling down · all or nothing · swinging for the fences · shooting the moon
hedging betscrossing the Rubicon
Passing beyond reversal
taking the plunge · decisive action · burning bridges · drawing a line in the sand
hedge, hedges, hedged, hedger, hedgers, hedgerow, hedgerows, bets, betted