# hedge one's bets

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hedge-ones-bets
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To reduce the risk of making a mistake by keeping one's options open.

## Examples

- I am hedging my bets by applying to two different universities.
- The investor decided to hedge his bets by buying gold alongside his risky technology stocks.
- By maintaining a secondary source of income while pursuing her artistic ambitions, she effectively hedged her bets against the uncertainty of a creative career.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.