To “cover all your bases” means to prepare for every possible outcome and to deal with every aspect of a situation to make sure you succeed or avoid trouble. On the surface, it appears that Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were trying to cover all their bases! Here’s what is says from Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (3:16-18) While they believed that God could deliver them (“our God whom we serve is able to deliver us”), it does look like they spoke in a way that might be construed as an effort to cover their bases (“but even if He does not”). But, upon further stu...