hedge one's bets verb2 •To place bets with a third party in order to offset potential losses. •To reduce the risk of making a mistake by keeping one's options open.I thought that these generals may never have intended to defect, or had at least hedged their bets enough that they could jump either way on Tuesday, depending on what course events took. — 2020 formshedged one's bets · hedging one's bets · hedges one's bets