keeping the powder dry
Maintaining combat readiness
Keeping the powder dry means staying prepared for action while waiting for the right moment.
The phrase comes from the need to keep gunpowder dry so it would ignite when needed.
It now applies to any situation where you conserve resources or maintain readiness: We're keeping our powder dry until we see how the market moves.
Often appears as keep your powder dry.
- vigilanceState of keen awareness
- readinessState of being prepared
- holding fireRefraining from action
- prudenceCareful, wise judgment
- stockpileAccumulated reserve supply
caution · wait and see · reserve · alertness · on standby · fallback · contingency · foresight · backup · war chest · rainy day fund · discretion · preparation · circumspection · liquidity · anticipation · safeguarding · ammunition
keeping the powder dryjumping the gun
Acting before appropriate time
shooting one's bolt · rushing in · overcommitting · throwing caution to the wind · betting the farm
keeping the powder dryburning the candle at both ends
Exhausting oneself through excess
keeping the powder dryjumping the gun
Acting before appropriate time
flying off the handle · shooting from the hip · losing one's cool · throwing caution to the wind · panicking
keeping, keeper, keepers, powder, powders, powdered, powdery, powdering