hedge one's bets
To place bets with a third party in order to offset potential losses.
hedge
/ˈhɛd͡ʒ/
noun 5verb 5name 1
Collocations
7(noun.)
ADJ
high, low, tall, thick
boundary, garden, roadside
The roadside hedge was full of blackbirds nesting in the thick branches.
beech, box, hawthorn, privet, yew, etc.
The garden was bordered by a tall privet hedge that needed trimming every summer.
VERB + HEDGE
plant
clip, trim
We need to clip the hedge before winter arrives.
HEDGE + NOUN
clippings, trimmings | trimmer
Definitions
noun
1
A thicket of bushes or other shrubbery, especially one planted as a fence between two portions of land, or to separate the parts of a garden.
He trims the hedge once a week.
But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of the window[…], and a 'bead' could be drawn upon Molly, the dairymaid, kissing the fogger behind the hedge, little dreaming that the deadly tube was levelled at them.
2
A barrier (often consisting of a line of persons or objects) to protect someone or something from harm.
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
3
A mound of earth, stone- or turf-faced, often topped with bushes, used as a fence between any two portions of land.
4
A noncommittal or intentionally ambiguous statement.
When not inaccurate, much commentary on the contents of Hobson-Jobson is couched in hedges or relies on speculative estimates in the absence of exact information.
5
Contract or arrangement reducing one's exposure to risk (for example the risk of price movements or interest rate movements).
The asset class acts as a hedge.
A hedge is an investment position intended to offset potential losses/gains that may be incurred by a companion investment. In simple language, a hedge is used to reduce any substantial losses/gains suffered by an individual or an organization.
verb
1
To enclose with a hedge or hedges.
to hedge a field or garden
2
To obstruct or surround.
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
Lollius Urbius […] drew another wall […] to hedge out incursions from the north.
3
To offset the risk associated with.
4
To avoid verbal commitment.
He carefully hedged his statements with weasel words.
5
To construct or repair a hedge.
name
1
A surname.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — a fence formed by a row of closely planted shrubs or bushes
- hedgerow
noun — an intentionally noncommittal or ambiguous statement
noun — any technique designed to reduce or eliminate financial risk
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
homely as a hedge fence
Having no physically attractive characteristics, but not blatantly ugly; very plain in appearance.
"I must have a husband!" said Miss Crooks, "what shall I do? Here I am hard upon my 25th year, and they say I am as homely as a hedge fence to boot! what shall I do?"
Example Bank
601
He trims the hedge once a week.
Wiktionary02
But then I had the [massive] flintlock by me for protection. ¶[…]The linen-press and a chest on the top of it formed, however, a very good gun-carriage; and, thus mounted, aim could be taken out of th
Wiktionary03
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work o
Wiktionary04
to hedge a field or garden
Wiktionary05
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
Wiktionary06
Lollius Urbius […] drew another wall […] to hedge out incursions from the north.
WiktionaryUsage Notes
i Register
In some senses, hedge is marked as UK. Watch for register when choosing this word.
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