hedge one's bets
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Lessen one's chance of loss by counterbalancing it with other bets, investments, or the like. For example, I'm hedging my bets by putting some of my money in bonds in case there's another drop in the stock market. This term transfers hedge, in the sense of “a barrier,” to a means of protection against loss. [Second half of 1600s]
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Words nearby hedge one's bets
hedgehop, hedge hyssop, hedge laying, hedge mustard, hedge nettle, hedge one's bets, hedger, hedgerow, hedge-school, hedge sparrow, hedging
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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