keep one's powder dry

Definitions

To hold back on action until a future time; to save one's resources in case of emergency.

Examples

“[…]events now happening, which, beyond almost any set⟳ of circumstances which have⟳ arisen in our recent history, impose⟳ the necessity on Great Britain, at all events, of keeping her powder dry, and of keeping her resources in steadfast charge.”

“He’d for the most part refrained from any dramatic concurrences or dissents—as though keeping his powder dry for Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, the biggest religious-liberty decision in years.”

“Another post⟳ written by Mr. Prevost, according to The Daily Beast, told people to “Keep⟳ [their] powder dry,” because there is a “war right here at home, a war for our streets and neighborhoods.””

CEFR level