Example: She decided to keep her options open until the interview.
Definition
"To keep one's options open" means to deliberately avoid making a final decision or commitment in order to maintain flexibility and consider multiple possibilities or opportunities before choosing a course of action.
Translations
mantener abiertas las opciones
de opties openhouden
mantenir obertes les opcions
garder ses options ouvertes
sich alle Möglichkeiten offenhalten
Etymology
The phrase "to keep one's options open" originates from the idea of 'options' as choices or alternatives. It evolved in the 20th century, likely from business or military contexts where maintaining various possibilities was advantageous. Did you know? The phrase emphasizes the importance of flexibility and avoiding premature decisions.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To keep one's options open" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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