shooting one's bolt
Spent all reserves
Shooting one's bolt means expending all one's effort or resources in a single attempt, leaving nothing in reserve.
The phrase comes from crossbow archery—once you've shot your bolt, you're defenseless until you reload.
Someone who has shot their bolt has exhausted their options or arguments: He made his best case early and shot his bolt—now he has nothing left to negotiate with.
- missing the markFailing to achieve aim
- running dryBecoming exhausted of supply
- falling shortNot meeting expectations
- overreachingExceeding proper limits
- blowing one's loadEjaculating prematurely or hastily
striking out · overcommitting · jumping the gun · drained · spent force · biting off more than one can chew · tapped out · running on fumes · running on empty · premature · overextended · burnout · hitting the wall · worn out · scraping the bottom of the barrel · out of gas · one trick pony · last resort
shooting one's boltholding back
Preventing forward movement
keeping one's powder dry · slow and steady · going the distance · endurance
shooting one's boltkeeping one's powder dry
Reserving strength for action
biding one's time · holding fire · keeping options open · strategic reserve · restraint
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