English Explanatory Dictionary

keep one's powder dry

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To hold back on action until a future time; to save one's resources in case of emergency.

Word forms

keep one's powder dry keeps one's powder dry keeping one's powder dry kept one's powder dry keep the powder dry

Etymology

From the maxim trust in God and keep your powder dry, attributed to English statesman Oliver Cromwell; in the days of muskets, soldiers needed to keep their bags of gunpowder dry so they could load their guns at short notice.

Related words

dry powder powder keg
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