Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Meaning

The idiom "don’t put all your eggs in one basket" means that one should not risk everything on a single opportunity or idea, but instead diversify their portfolio of investments, interests, or plans. It's a warning against putting too much faith in one thing and ignoring other possibilities.

Usage

• Don't put all your eggs in one stock market investment; spread your wealth across multiple assets to minimize risk.
• Instead of relying solely on one career path, consider exploring other options that align with your interests and skills.
• Don't put all your hopes and dreams into a single relationship; maintain other connections and activities to keep yourself happy and fulfilled.
• Don't invest all your savings in a single project or company; diversify your portfolio to minimize the risk of losing everything if it fails.
• Don't put all your efforts into one hobby or activity; try new things and explore different interests to avoid burnout and maintain motivation.

Roots and History

The idiom is believed to have originated in the 16th century when chicken farmers would store their eggs in woven baskets made from willow rods. If all the eggs were placed in one basket, they could fall out if the basket broke or was dropped. This led to the idea of diversifying one's investments or plans to avoid losing everything at once.

Synonyms in English

• Don't put all your eggs in one boat.
• Don't put all your eggs in one cart.
• Don't put all your eggs in one basketcase.
• Don't put all your eggs in one nest.
• Don't put all your eggs in one pot.

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: "No poner todas tus huevos en un nido"
• French: "Ne mettre tout ses œufs dans le même panier"
• German: "Es ist nicht klug alle Eier in einen Korb zu legen"
• Italian: "Non mettere tutte le uova in un cesto"
• Portuguese: "Não coloque toda as ovos em um ninho".

Similar Idioms

• doldrums

• do or die

• down the road