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What's the meaning of the phrase 'Keep your powder dry'? Be prepared and save your resources until they are needed. What's the origin of the phrase 'Keep your powder dry'? The allusion is to gunpowder which soldiers had to keep dry in order to be ready to fight when required.
idiom. Add to word list. to wait before taking action, but be ready to take action if it is necessary: I think some potential candidates are going to keep their powder dry and see how it's playing out. I'm going to keep my powder dry and get as much information as I can before I commit to anything.
Take care of yourself; be prepared. This phrase was uttered by Oliver Cromwell in 1642, when his regiment was about to attack the enemy at the battle of Edgehill. “Put your trust in God,” he told his troops, “but keep your powder dry.” Wet gunpowder was very difficult to ignite, and with it a soldier would in effect be unarmed.
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY definition: to be ready to take immediate action in case a situation suddenly gets worse | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples.
[1] Background. The phrase means to "always be prepared to take action yourself if necessary". [2] . The allusion is to gunpowder which soldiers had to keep dry in order to be ready to fight when required. Bergen Evans suggested that the phrase combined piety and practicality. [3] .
Aug 7, 2024 · idiom. old-fashioned. : to be calm and ready for a possible problem in the future. They don't know how the election will turn out, so for now they're just keeping their powder dry. Dictionary Entries Near keep one's powder dry. keep one's pecker up. keep one's powder dry. keep one's side of the bargain. See More Nearby Entries. Cite this Entry.
What does the saying 'Keep your powder dry' mean? Idiom: Keep your powder dry. Meaning: If you keep your powder dry, you act cautiously so as not to damage your chances. Country: International English | Subject Area: War, weapons and conflict | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used. Contributor: Richard Flynn.
