ENGLISH
REFERENCE

don't put all your eggs in one basket

idiom
Meaning

What you're doing is too risky


Origin

Proverb attested in the 17th century; it appears in early English translations of Cervantes' Don Quixote and was later popularised by Mark Twain.

Examples
SIMPLE

Don't put all your eggs in one basket when you invest your money.

CONTEXTUAL

You should apply to several different universities because it is risky to put all your eggs in one basket.

COMPLEX

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.

Last updated June 7, 2026