in the same basket

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the same basket" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that multiple items or situations are grouped together, often implying that they share a common characteristic or risk. Example: "We shouldn't put all our investments in the same basket; it's important to diversify our portfolio."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Put all the ideas in the same basket".

The Guardian - Music

And, equally, no one puts the Russian-owned Evening Standard in the same basket as the Sun and Sky.

The Guardian

"It's important not to put every region in the same basket, and companies should develop different strategies for different regions according to their growth or decline," he said.

The New York Times

Adrenaline, emotions, fear, death, attraction, longing, sadness, love, sorrow, the need to connect with another human being – they all go in the same basket.

The Guardian - Film

Even so, it makes sense to protect employees from putting too much of the retirement nest egg in the same basket with job security.

The New York Times

There was clearly no place in a political process – American leaders bundled them in the same basket as al-Qaida fugitives, which was a mistake.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

With Oculus, Zuckerberg is putting pennies into the same basket.

TechCrunch

In 2008 the same basket of goods cost £88.41, while five years ago the festive meal cost £92.43 – more than £8 cheaper than this year.

Independent

As for laundry, sometimes I do it, put it in the same baskets that my kids once used as drawers (they would just leave the clean clothes in them which drove me nuts), and then I don't put it away for days.

Huffington Post

Most people in this country, and around the world, want the same basket of things in life: a good job, an opportunity to move up in the world, good friends, a good family, good health, a safe community, respect from others, freedom, honesty, and above all, love.

Huffington Post

Last April, Camby bruised his left hip while dunking on the same basket early in a game against the Pacers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the same basket" when you want to emphasize that different things are being treated as a single unit or share a common fate or risk. For example, "Don't put all your hopes in the same basket; explore multiple opportunities."

Common error

Be specific about why you are grouping items together. Saying "everything is in the same basket" without context can be vague and unhelpful. Clarify the shared characteristics or risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the same basket" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify a verb, indicating how actions are performed. Based on Ludwig AI, the phrase suggests a grouping or categorization, often implying shared attributes or consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the same basket" is a common and versatile prepositional phrase used to express that items or concepts are grouped together, share similar characteristics, or face common risks. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media and scientific contexts. When using "in the same basket", ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the reasons for grouping items together, and consider alternatives like "in the same category" or "lumped together" for nuanced meanings. Diversify your writing by avoiding over-reliance on this single phrase, but do so only when context requires. Using this phrase indicates that you understand the connection between these items, but may not be diverse in your approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the same category

Focuses on classification rather than shared risk or grouping.

lumped together

Emphasizes the act of combining things, sometimes carelessly.

treated alike

Highlights the identical handling or perception of different entities.

considered equivalent

Stresses the perceived equality or interchangeability.

grouped together

Focuses on the action of forming a group, often for administrative purposes.

in the same class

Denotes that items belong to the same level or stratum.

under the same umbrella

Implies a shared protection or coverage by a broader concept or entity.

tarred with the same brush

Suggests that items are unfairly associated with the same negative qualities.

cut from the same cloth

Implies similar characteristics or origins, often in terms of personality or values.

in the same boat

Suggests that people are facing the same difficulties or challenges.

FAQs

What does it mean to put something "in the same basket"?

Putting something "in the same basket" means grouping it with other things, often implying they share common characteristics, risks, or are being treated similarly. It can also mean not diversifying or spreading out resources.

How can I use "in the same basket" in a sentence about investments?

You might say, "It's risky to put all your investments "in the same basket". Diversifying your portfolio can mitigate potential losses."

What's a good alternative to saying "in the same basket"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "in the same category", "lumped together", or "in the same boat".

Is it correct to say "all my eggs in one basket" instead of "in the same basket"?

"All my eggs in one basket" is an idiomatic expression that is very similar to "in the same basket". However, the idiom is more specific to risk, specifically that if the basket is dropped, the person loses all their 'eggs'. Therefore, although similar, they are not exactly the same.