keep your options open

Meaning

To 'keep your options open' means to avoid making a final decision or commitment immediately so that you still have other choices available in the future. It is a very common, neutral expression used in both everyday life and career planning. It suggests a strategic delay to see how circumstances develop.

Examples

• I haven't accepted the job offer yet because I want to keep my options open.

  I haven't accepted the job offer yet because I want to keep my options open.

• It's smart to keep your options open by applying to multiple universities.

  It's smart to keep your options open by applying to multiple universities.

• We are keeping our options open regarding where we will travel this summer.

  We are keeping our options open regarding where we will travel this summer.

• Instead of buying a house right away, they rented to keep their options open.

  Instead of buying a house right away, they rented to keep their options open.

• He advised me to keep my options open until we hear back from the other client.

  He advised me to keep my options open until we hear back from the other client.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to keep open my options.

  ✓ I want to keep my options open.

  The adjective 'open' must follow the noun 'options' in this idiomatic structure.

• ✗ She is keeping her choices open.

  ✓ She is keeping her options open.

  While 'choices' makes logical sense, the fixed idiom always uses 'options'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Don't sign the contract just yet; it's better to ___.

  💡 This means to avoid committing so you still have choices.

  Show answer

  keep your options open

• If you don't commit to one offer, you can ___.

  💡 Use the base form of the expression.

  Show answer

  keep your options open