MEANING
To remain ready for action while waiting for the right moment to act.
Use it for
staying prepared without acting too soon; holding resources in reserve; waiting strategically for a better moment; remaining ready for a possible challengeCombines restraint now with readiness to act when conditions warrant it. Writing functions: Strategic readiness. Semantic categories (by meaning): Preparation; Strategic patience. Contexts: General conversation; Business; Political commentary.
On the page
The union kept its powder dry until the revised offer arrived.
Rather than spend the remaining funds immediately, the charity kept its powder dry.
Word forms
- Base
- keep your powder dry
Usage notes
Inflect keep: keeps your powder dry; kept your powder dry; keeping your powder dry. Change the possessive with the subject. Register: neutral. Commonness: moderately common (qualitative editorial estimate, informed by dictionaries/corpus).
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
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