"Unprepared" and "neglectful" are antonyms for "cover bases." The phrase "cover bases" refers to a thorough preparation, a comprehensive plan or well-thought out strategy. Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings, and in this case, it means the lack of preparedness or overlooking critical aspects. Being unprepared for an event or situation or being neglectful in your preparations can lead to undesirable outcomes. It is crucial to cover all your bases, especially in important matters or projects, to improve your chances of success. Avoiding or ignoring critical preparations can lead to unfortunate consequences, and antonyms are useful for understanding the opposite meaning of a word, in this case, "cover bases.