| 释义 |
hedge one's bets hedge (one's) betsTo take an action in order to offset a potential future loss. I'm not too confident that I'll get the lead in the play, so I'm hedging my bets by trying out for several roles.See also: bet, hedgehedge one's betsFig. to reduce one's loss on a bet or on an investment by counterbalancing the loss in some way. Bob bet Ann that the plane would be late. He usually hedges his bets. This time he called the airline and asked about the plane before he made the bet. John bought some stock and then bet Mary that the stock would go down in value in one year. He has hedged his bets perfectly. If the stock goes up, he sells it, pays off Mary, and still makes a profit. If it goes down, he reduces his loss by winning the bet he made with Mary.See also: bet, hedgehedge one's betsLessen 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] See also: bet, hedge |