put all one's eggs in one basket
Dangerous singular commitment
To put all one's eggs in one basket is to concentrate all resources or hopes in a single venture, risking total loss if it fails.
The image is of carrying eggs—if the basket drops, everything breaks.
Usually appears as advice against doing so: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Sometimes used approvingly for bold commitment: She put all her eggs in one basket and it paid off.
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- proverbTraditional saying expressing truth
- high stakesSignificant potential for loss
- cautionary taleStory illustrating consequences
- speculationUnproven theorizing or risky investment
tunnel vision · metaphor · overcommitment · safety nets · backup plan · nest egg · financial exposure · risk assessment · contingency planning · safety margin · foresight · strategic planning · all-or-nothing · risky business · precautionary measures · playing it safe · prioritization · figure of speech
put all one's eggs in one baskethedge one's bets
Reduce risk by diversifying
diversify · cover all bases · play it safe · keep one's options open · play the field
put all one's eggs in one basketdiversification
Expanding into varied areas