What does the expression Keep your powder dry mean?

: 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.

Where did the saying Keep your powder dry come from?

"Trust in God and keep your powder dry" is a maxim attributed to Oliver Cromwell, but whose first appearance in print was in 1834 in the poem "Oliver's Advice" by William Blacker, with the words "Put your trust in God, my boys, and keep your powder dry!" The poem is a dramatic representation of Cromwell addressing his ...

Who said keep your powder dry?

Oliver Cromwell, at the Battle of Edgehill in 1642, is supposed to have told his Roundhead troops in that opening fight of the English civil war, ''Put your trust in God, my boys, but mind to keep your powder dry.

What does my powder mean?

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.

What does it mean to leave you high and dry?

Definition of high and dry

1 : being out of reach of the current or tide or out of the water. 2 : being in a helpless or abandoned position.

Keep Your Powder Dry

What does mean at the drop of a hat?

Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [

What does on the tip of one's tongue?

Ready to utter something but unable to remember it at the moment, as in I met him last year and his name is on the tip of my tongue—it'll come to me in a minute. [ Early 1700]

What does powder mean in slang?

cocaine. See more words with the same meaning: cocaine.

What does hitting the powder mean?

US and Canadian slang. to run away or disappear. See full dictionary entry for powder.

What does powder your nose mean urban dictionary?

Definition of powder one's nose

—used by women as a polite way of excusing themselves from a table, conversation, etc., to go to the bathroom Excuse me. I'm just going to go powder my nose. I'll be right back.

What does nose butter mean?

Definition: The act of rocking onto the tips (nose butter) or tail (tail butter) of your skis and holding your weight there long enough to turn 180 degrees or more in one smooth, beautiful, life-affirming motion.

Why is it called the bunny hill?

Bunny Hill

Perhaps most likely, the term is used as the hill is occupied mostly by novice children skiers, who use bunny as their preferred term for a rabbit.

What does it mean to butter ski?

Buttering on Skis Explained

A butter is a trick where you use the skis' flex to pop off of the slope into a rotation. During the trick, part of the ski remains in contact with the slope, typically the nose or the tail. Butters can be done off any future, but they are usually performed on flat snow or off of knuckles.

What does tough cookie mean?

Definition of tough cookie

: a person who is physically and emotionally strong Don't worry about her—she's a tough cookie.

What is a powder party?

Revelers throw talcum powder over each other during carnival in Santa Cruz de la Palma in the Canary islands, Spain, on Monday. The celebration, known as 'Los Indianos,' represents the return of emigrants from the Americas, who returned to the island of Las Palma wealthier.

Where does the word powder come from?

powder (v.) c. 1300, poudren, "to put or sprinkle powder on;" late 14c., "to make into powder," from Old French poudrer "to pound, crush to powder; strew, scatter," from poudre (see powder (n.)). Specifically as "to whiten cosmetically by some application of white material in powder form" is from 1590s.

What is the meaning of put a cork in it?

Definition of put a cork in it

chiefly US, informal. —used as a rude way to tell someone to stop talking and especially to stop complaining Why don't you put a cork in it! I'm sick of your whining!

What is the meaning of go back to the drawing board?

Definition of go back to the drawing board

: to start over The company went back to the drawing board to make a better product.

What is the meaning of that's music to my ears?

Definition of music to someone's ears

: something that someone is very happy to hear Her words were music to my ears.

What does upsetting the apple cart mean?

Spoil carefully laid plans, as in Now don't upset the applecart by revealing where we're going. This expression started out as upset the cart, used since Roman times to mean “spoil everything.” The precise idiom dates from the late 1700s.

What does pick a bone mean?

To fight, quarrel, or squabble with someone, usually over a specific point.

What's the crack of dawn?

Definition of at the crack of dawn

: very early in the morning : at dawn We got up at the crack of dawn to go fishing.