The idiom "keep your powder dry" originates from the practical necessity of keeping gunpowder dry to ensure it would ignite effectively in battle, a concept attributed to Oliver Cromwell (see backgroud info below).
Over time, the idiom evolved to mean being cautious, ready, and prepared to act at a critical moment. It suggests a state of readiness, alertness, and the ability to take swift action for a potential problem or opportunity.
Historical background:
During the 17th century, when firearms were powered by gunpowder, keeping the gunpowder dry was crucial for its functionality. Wet gunpowder would not ignite, rendering weapons useless. Oliver Cromwell (1599 - 1658), a prominent military and political figure, is often associated with the saying "Trust in God and keep your powder dry".
- Google with editing
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I ran into this idiom two days ago in 投坛, when one 坛友 used it (see below).
Our world is big and small at the same time that everything and everywhere are connected somehow.
Recently the stock market has been running like a roller coaster: up, down-up, down-up, and down again. It has been creating great opportunities for day traders, but makes regular "buy and hold" investors (like me) wondering: what's really going on? 
Regardless, "future favors the prepared mind". So if you are comfortable with the market conditions and want to play the game, "Trust in 'God' and keep your powder dry", as there are likely more surprises yet to come.
For me, I'm very lazy and limit new buys (and hold) to SPY only, bought some last month and probably will get more if it drops to that level or lower again.
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• 这次股市小崩盘是在预料之中的。 - 高山峻岭流水人家 - 
(584 bytes) (3976 reads) 05/04/2025 19:12:34
• 上周，很多大机构已经推荐加保护了。hard data 大概率要开始恶化了。 - wave1234 - (0 bytes) (34 reads) 05/04/2025 19:15:17
• 不怕：keep your powder dry. - 高山峻岭流水人家 - (0 bytes) (23 reads) 05/04/2025 19:18:06
• quietly: do U mean "powder dry"? - 最西边的岛上 - (0 bytes) (31 reads) 05/04/2025 19:20:32
• 谢谢提醒。 - 高山峻岭流水人家 - (0 bytes) (11 reads) 05/04/2025 19:21:43
• sorry 4 nitpicking ;-) - 最西边的岛上 - (0 bytes) (11 reads) 05/04/2025 19:23:08
