shoot one's bolt
Use everything up
To shoot one's bolt is to exhaust one's resources or efforts in a single attempt, leaving nothing in reserve: He shot his bolt in the first round and had nothing left for the finals.
The expression comes from crossbow bolts—once fired, the archer was defenseless until reloading.
It sometimes carries sexual connotations of premature ejaculation.
- burn outExhaust through overwork
- miss the markFail to achieve aim
- fizzle outFail after promising start
- last gaspFinal desperate attempt
- use upConsume until gone
empty · overreach · finish · spent · spent force · go all out · blow one's wad · fatigue · hit the wall · run on empty · crossbow · peter out · frustration · quiver · archer · fall short · overcommitment · run out of steam
shoot one's boltpace oneself
Control one's exertion rate
keep one's powder dry · hold back · go the distance · bide one's time · hold one's fire
shoot one's boltkeep one's powder dry
Preserve resources until needed
hold one's fire · bide one's time · keep one's counsel · lie in wait
shoot, shoots, shooting, shooter, shot, shots, ones, bolt, bolts