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keep one’s powder dry

Conserve one’s resources until they are needed; be ready to take action if necessary

Etymology:

  • Refers to the gunpowder used in early weaponry and attributed to the English leader Oliver Cromwell in 1642 when, at the battle of Edgehill, he advised his soldiers, “Trust in God, but keep your powder dry.” - As wet gunpowder was very difficult to ignite rendering it harmless.
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The team’s sniper was on the bench for most of the game, as she was just off an injury, but -intending to put her in the game at the right moment- the coach counseled her to keep her powder dry.

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Submitted by JokerGem on July 19, 2023

Modified by JokerGem on July 19, 2023

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to keep one’s powder dry

keep outkeep one's nose cleankeep somebody postedkeep pacekeep one's shirt onkeep oneself to oneselfkeep somebody in stitcheskeep one's eyes peeledkeep one's pecker upkeep pacekeep one's options openkeep outkeep outkeep quiet

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    "keep one’s powder dry." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/keep-ones-powder-dry_63874>.

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