doʊnt pʊt ɔl jɔr eɡz ɪn wʌn ˈbæskɪt
Food & Cooking
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Don't place every egg in a single basket
What does "don't put all your eggs in one basket" mean?
- Don't risk everything on a single opportunity
- Diversify your investments or options to minimize risk
Examples
- Invest in different stocks—don't put all your eggs in one basket.
- Apply to multiple universities; don't put all your eggs in one basket.
- She learned not to put all her eggs in one basket after losing that client.
Origin
Agricultural wisdom dating back centuries—if you carry all eggs in one basket and drop it, you lose everything. The phrase advises spreading risk. Miguel de Cervantes used a version in 'Don Quixote' (1605).
How to use it
Very common financial and life advice about diversification. Often used in investment and career discussions.
Similar expressions
diversify
hedge your bets
spread the risk
Opposites
go all in
bet everything on one thing
Related idioms
- piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- a piece of cake
Something very easy to do
- in a nutshell
In a very brief or concise form
- an apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating fruit or having a healthy diet helps maintain good health
- bite off more than you can chew
To take on more responsibility or work than one can handle
- not your cup of tea
Not something you enjoy or are interested in
Use it in a practice answer
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