Hedged
/hɛdʒd/
verbB2past tense
Definition
To hedge means to avoid full commitment or clear answers by using careful or unclear words. It can also mean to protect yourself from possible loss or risk, especially in money or decisions. When someone "hedges," they try to keep safe by not going all in or by preparing for different results.
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See It in Action
To avoid a clear or direct answer by being careful with words
- •He hedged when asked about the project’s success.
- •Instead of saying yes or no, she hedged her response.
- •Politicians often hedge their statements to avoid mistakes.
To protect against loss or risk, especially in finance or decisions
- •Investors hedged their bets by buying different stocks.
- •Companies hedge to protect against price changes.
- •She hedged her investment to reduce possible losses.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "hedged" like "avoided" or "protected," but more about being careful with words or choices, not just staying away
- ✓Picture a small fence (a hedge) around a garden that protects plants from animals—this is like protecting yourself from problems
- ✓It's the feeling when you don’t want to say "yes" or "no" clearly, so you answer in a way that keeps your options open
- ✓Sounds like "hedge" → imagine cutting a hedge carefully so it covers everything without gaps, just like careful speech or action covers all possibilities
- ✓Think of a politician who doesn’t give a straight answer but talks around the question to avoid trouble
- ✓NOT like "decided" (clear choice), "hedged" is about avoiding full commitment
- ✓NOT like "risked" (taking chance), "hedged" is about avoiding or reducing risk
Try Other Words
- •Evade: to avoid giving a direct answer (Use when someone tries to escape a question or responsibility)
- •Protect: to keep safe from risk or harm (Use when talking about financial or physical safety)
- •Balance: to keep options open by not choosing one side fully (Use when trying to keep fairness or safety)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "hedge" (a fence or boundary) + "-ed" (past tense suffix)
- •Etymology: From Old English "hecg" meaning a fence made of bushes; later used metaphorically to mean protection or avoidance
- •Historical development: Originally meant a physical fence for protection; later used in language and finance to mean careful protection or avoiding full risk
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in finance for risk protection and in speech for avoiding clear statements
Reflect & Connect
•Why might someone choose to hedge their words instead of giving a direct answer?
•Can hedging be helpful in everyday life, or does it sometimes cause confusion? When?
Fill in the blanks
1.She hedged her answer because she was not ___ to commit fully to the plan.
2.Investors hedged their bets to ___ against possible losses in the market.
3.When asked about the problem, he hedged instead of giving a ___ response.
4.Politicians often hedge their statements to avoid ___ consequences.
5.Hedging your words means you are being ___ rather than clear and direct.
6.The company hedged its risks by ___ different strategies at the same time.
7.If someone hedges too much, you might feel they are not ___ honest or confident.