(bookmaking) To place bets with a third party in order to offset potential losses. / (idiomatic) To reduce the risk of making a mistake, by keeping one's options open.

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of hedge one's bets

simple past tense and past participle of hedge one's bets

The ground ivy.

(chiefly US, dated, idiomatic) Having no physically attractive characteristics, but not blatantly ugly; very plain in appearance.

(simile, UK, informal, humorous) To look extremely disheveled.

present participle of look as if one has been dragged through a hedge backwards

simple past tense and past participle of look as if one has been dragged through a hedge backwards

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of look as if one has been dragged through a hedge backwards

So as to hedge; without making a firm commitment.