hedging your bets
/ˈhɛdʒɪŋ jɔːr bɛts/
Meaning
To reduce the risk of loss or failure by choosing several different possibilities instead of committing to just one. It is used when someone wants to protect themselves against a negative outcome, often by keeping their options open or supporting multiple sides.
Examples
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She's hedging her bets by applying to five different universities.
She's hedging her bets by applying to five different universities.
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Instead of investing all his money in one stock, he's hedging his bets.
Instead of investing all his money in one stock, he's hedging his bets.
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They are hedging their bets by hiring two different consultants.
They are hedging their bets by hiring two different consultants.
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I'm hedging my bets and bringing an umbrella even though it looks sunny.
I'm hedging my bets and bringing an umbrella even though it looks sunny.
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He refused to commit to one candidate, clearly hedging his bets.
He refused to commit to one candidate, clearly hedging his bets.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I am closing my bets by applying to other jobs.
✓ I am hedging my bets by applying to other jobs.
The verb is 'hedge' (originally referring to planting a hedge to limit risk or boundaries), not 'close'.
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✗ She is hedging her bet.
✓ She is hedging her bets.
The noun 'bets' is plural in this fixed idiom because you are making multiple choices to protect yourself.
Related Expressions
Practice
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He's ___ by applying to both local and international firms.
💡 Protecting himself against failure by choosing multiple options.
Show answer
hedging his bets
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Instead of choosing a side, she decided to ___.
💡 Avoid committing to a single option to minimize risk.
Show answer
hedge her bets