don’t put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning
Don’t risk everything on a single plan, investment, or opportunity; spread risk across multiple options.
Origin
From the practical idea that carrying all eggs in one basket risks losing them all if the basket is dropped; recorded in English from at least the 17th century as advice about avoiding total loss.
Notes
Common advice meaning “diversify your risk.” Often used in finance/careers; can sound cautionary or mildly admonishing.
Examples
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I’m applying to several universities because I don’t want to put all my eggs in one basket.
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Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—split your savings between different investments.
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We hired two suppliers so we wouldn’t be putting all our eggs in one basket.
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She learned the hard way not to put all her eggs in one basket when her only client suddenly left.
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If you rely on one marketing channel, you’re putting all your eggs in one basket.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually appears in the negative imperative (“Don’t put…”). Can be adapted: “I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket.” The core phrase “all your eggs in one basket” is fairly fixed.
Synonyms
- diversify
- hedge your bets
- spread your risk
- don’t bet the farm
Antonyms
- put all your eggs in one basket
- go all in
- bet everything on one thing