Idiom idiom
don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning
What you're doing is too risky
Examples
“Don't put all your eggs in one basket when you invest your money.”
“You should apply to several different universities because it is risky to put all your eggs in one basket.”
“The financial advisor warned his client that relying solely on a single stock was dangerous, advising him not to put all his eggs in one basket.”
Origin
Proverb attested in the 17th century; it appears in early English translations of Cervantes' Don Quixote and was later popularised by Mark Twain.
Last updated June 7, 2026