Put all your eggs in one basket

Definitions

• Take a risk
  To commit all of one's resources or efforts into one single course of action, risking everything on its success or failure

• Over-reliance
  To rely too heavily on one thing or person, leaving oneself vulnerable if that thing or person fails or disappoints

Examples of Put all your eggs in one basket

• The small startup company decided to put all their resources and efforts into one big project instead of spreading themselves thin by working on multiple smaller projects at once.

  This idiom means to focus all your attention, time, and resources on one particular thing or opportunity, rather than dividing them among several things. It's a way of saying that sometimes it's better to take a big risk and put all your eggs in one basket, rather than spreading yourself too thin by trying to do too many things at once. This idiom is often used in business and investment contexts, but it can apply to any situation where you have to make a choice about how to allocate your resources.

Conclusion

The idiom "put all your eggs in one basket" is often used to convey the idea of taking a risk or over-relying on something or someone. In both cases, it is seen as a warning against putting all of one's resources or trust in a single entity, as it can lead to potential failure or disappointment.

In the first meaning, the idiom is often used in a business or financial context, cautioning against investing all of one's money or resources into a single venture. This can be seen as a risky move, as if that venture fails, all of one's resources are lost. It can also be used in a personal context, advising against putting all of one's efforts or focus into one particular task or goal, as there is a chance of failure.

In the second meaning, the idiom is used to caution against over-reliance on one thing or person. This can refer to someone relying too heavily on a single source of income, or on one person for emotional support or guidance. In both cases, if that source fails or disappoints, the person is left vulnerable and without backup plans.

Origin of "Put all your eggs in one basket"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to a 17th-century French proverb "Il ne faut pas mettre tous ses œufs dans le même panier," which translates to "Do not put all your eggs in one basket." It was later adopted into English in the 18th century and has since been widely used.

The literal meaning of this idiom is quite clear - if you put all your eggs in one basket, and that basket falls, all of your eggs will be broken. This message can be applied to various aspects of life, cautioning against the potential consequences of over-reliance or taking too much risk.

In modern times, the idiom is often used in a figurative sense, but its origin can be traced back to a more literal interpretation. It serves as a reminder to diversify and not put all of one's resources or trust in a single entity, as it can lead to potential downfall.