Investopedia explains 'Protective Put'
If an investor purchased a stock for $10 that is now worth $20 but he has not sold it, he has unrealized gains of $10. If he doesn't want to sell the stock yet (perhaps because he thinks it will appreciate further) but he wants to make sure he doesn't lose the $10 in unrealized gains, he can purchase a put option for that same stock (called the "underlying stock") that will protect him for as long as the option contract is in force. If the stock continues to increase in price, say, going up to $30, the investor can benefit from the increase. If the stock declines from $20 to $15 or even to $1, the investor is able to limit his losses because of the protective put.
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