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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 one's shirt onkeep one's head downkeep somebody in stitcheskeep someone in the darkkeep one's head downkeep pacekeep outkeep one's pants onkeep one's eyes peeledkeep someone companykeep one's pecker upkeep one's fingers crossedkeep out ofkeep oneself to oneself

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    "keep one’s powder dry." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/keep-ones-powder-dry_63874>.

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