keep one's powder dry
verb
Roget 673: prepare; get ready, make ready; make preparations, settle preliminaries, get up, sound the note of preparation. set in order, put in order etc. (arrange) 60; forecast etc. (plan) 626; prepare the ground, plow the ground, dress the ground; till the soil, cultivate the soil; predispose, sow the seed, lay a train, dig a mine; lay the groundwork, fix the groundwork, lay the basis, fix the basis, lay the foundations, fix the foundations; dig the foundations, erect the scaffolding; lay the first stone etc. (begin) 66. roughhew; cut out work; block out, hammer out; lick into shape etc. (form) 240. elaborate, mature, ripen, mellow, season, bring to maturity; nurture etc. (aid) 707; hatch, cook, brew; temper, anneal, smelt; barbecue; infumate†; maturate. equip, arm, man; fit-out, fit up; furnish, rig, dress, garnish, betrim†, accouter, array, fettle, fledge; dress up, furbish up, brush up, vamp up; refurbish; sharpen one's tools, trim one's foils, set, prime, attune; whet the knife, whet the sword; wind up, screw up; adjust etc. (fit) 27; put in trim, put in train, put in gear, put in working order, put in tune, put in a groove for, put in harness; pack. train etc. (teach) 537; inure etc. (habituate) 613; breed; prepare for &c.; rehearse; make provision for; take steps, take measures, take precautions; provide, provide against; beat up for recruits; open the door to etc. (facilitate) 705. set one's house in order, make all snug; clear the decks, clear for action; close one's ranks; shuffle the cards. prepare oneself; serve an apprenticeship etc. (learn) 539; lay oneself out for, get into harness, gird up one's loins, buckle on one's armor, reculer pour mieux sauter [Fr.], prime and load, shoulder arms, get the steam up, put the horses to. guard against, make sure against; forearm, make sure, prepare for the evil day, have a rod in pickle, provide against a rainy day, feather one's nest; lay in provisions etc. 637; make investments; keep on foot. be prepared, be ready etc. adj.; hold oneself in readiness, keep one's powder dry; lie in wait for etc. (expect) 507; anticipate etc. (foresee) 510; principiis obstare [Lat.]; veniente occurrere morbo [Lat.]. ... show more
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