Is 'put all your eggs in one basket' formal or informal?

It is neutral. You can use it in conversation, business writing, and advice.

What is the opposite of 'put all your eggs in one basket'?

A common opposite idea is to diversify or keep backup options.

Can I use this idiom for money?

Yes. People often use it for investments, savings, or business decisions.

← Dictionary

to-put-all-one's-eggs-in-one-basket

/tə pʊt ɔːl wʌnz eɡz ɪn wʌn ˈbɑː.skɪt/

IELTSAcademic

idiom

To depend on one plan, one person, or one choice instead of keeping other options open. It often suggests risk, because one failure can cause a big loss.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
She put all her eggs in one basket with that one job offer.
We should not put all our eggs in one basket.

Adinary Nuance

This idiom is close to phrases like take a risk and bet on one thing, but it is more about poor planning than bravery. Use it when someone relies too much on one choice and may regret it later. It is common in advice, business, and writing about money or jobs.

In other languages

Vietnamese: đặt hết trứng vào một giỏ
Spanish: poner todos los huevos en una cesta
Chinese: 把鸡蛋放在一个篮子里
Japanese: 卵を一つのかごに盛る
Korean: 한 바구니에 달걀을 담다

Etymology

This idiom comes from the idea of carrying all your eggs in one basket. If the basket falls, everything may break. It has been used in English since the 1600s.

Common phrases

don't put all your eggs in one basketput all one's eggs in one basketall eggs in one basket

Synonyms

be overdependent on rely on one option pin hopes on

Related words

risk diversify backup option

Frequently asked questions

Is 'put all your eggs in one basket' formal or informal?: It is neutral. You can use it in conversation, business writing, and advice.
What is the opposite of 'put all your eggs in one basket'?: A common opposite idea is to diversify or keep backup options.
Can I use this idiom for money?: Yes. People often use it for investments, savings, or business decisions.