keeps one's options open
Stays flexible, uncommitted
To keep one's options open is to avoid committing to a particular course of action, preserving the ability to choose among alternatives later.
Someone who keeps their options open declines to make a final decision, often to see how circumstances develop.
She's keeping her options open about graduate school until she hears back from all the programs.
The phrase implies strategic caution rather than indecisiveness.
- open-mindednessAcceptance of differing viewpoints
- career planningOrganizing professional future steps
- free agentUnsigned professional seeking employment
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- contingency planningPreparing for possible problems
backup plan · adaptability · playing the field · investment strategies · hedging · irons in the fire · noncommittal · wait and see · foresight · pragmatism · resilience · optionality · negotiations · escape clause · risk management · patience · incrementalism · diversification
keeps one's options opencommits
Pledges to do
locks in · decides · takes the plunge · burns one's bridges · chooses
keeps one's options openburns one's bridges
Permanently closes off alternatives
crosses the Rubicon · paints oneself into a corner · backs oneself into a corner · cements · finalizes
keeps, keeping, keeper, keepers, oneness, option, options, optional, optionally