keep your options open

keep (one's) options open

To refrain from making a decision or commitment that will limit one's choices in the future. You're awfully young to be getting married. I just think you should keep your options open until you're finished with college. They've offered me a good salary if I stay with the company, but I think I'd like to keep my options open.
See also: keep, open, option
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

keep (or leave) your options open

avoid committing yourself.
1996 Colin Bateman Of Wee Sweetie Mice and Men Have it your way. We'll go to Princetown. But I'm keeping my options open. If there's any more trouble…we're out, we're home.
See also: keep, open, option
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

keep/leave (all) your ˈoptions open

avoid making a decision now so that you still have a choice in the future: Doing business with him is sometimes quite stressful. He likes to keep all his options open until the very last minute.
See also: keep, leave, open, option
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • keep (one's) options open
  • keep/leave your options open
  • leave (one's) options open
  • keep opinions to
  • keep (one's) opinions to (oneself)
  • well-heeled for (a particular type of person)
  • keep out from under (one's) feet
  • keep out from under feet
  • hold one's tongue, to
  • abstain
References in periodicals archive
Whether you're actively searching for a job or just want to keep your options open, post your resume on the IABC Job Centre and see what happens.
Job Centre resume postings: ABCs stand out from the crowd
``But you always have to keep your options open,'' she added.
ATHLETICS: Holmes option
If it doesn't lie in intramural sports, then you risk nothing by switching over to dance, as long as you keep your options open. By this I mean continuing your education and keeping an eye on other interests that can enrich your life and offer clues to possible career choices after dance.
Advice for dancers
Keep your options open and remember that large, private corporations have similar programs and will provide great opportunities for a small business."
A corporate coup: entrepreneurs are turning to big businesses for contracts. (Small Business Trends)
If he e-mails back that he thinks you and his girlfriend will get along great, you'll know ahead of time to keep your options open.
Q & A Seaside suitors
Keep your options open when considering a purchasing group or an alliance.
Purchasing plus: one organization's networking initiative
My advice is to keep your options open by studying several dance techniques and continuing your education.
ADVICE FOR DANCERS