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powder
(redirected from face powder)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
keep your powder dry
to be ready to take action if necessary. All you have to do is keep your powder dry and await orders.
See also: dry, keep

a powder keg

a situation that could suddenly become extremely dangerous. We left just before the revolution, realizing that we were sitting on a powder keg.

powder your nose (humorous)

if a woman says she is going to powder her nose, she means she is going to go to the toilet. Well, if you'll excuse me a moment, I'm going to powder my nose.
See also: nose

take a powder (American, informal)

to leave a place suddenly, especially in order to avoid an unpleasant situation. He saw the police coming and took a powder.
See also: take

keep your powder dry
to be ready to do something if necessary. We're not ready to start buying yet. We'll keep our powder dry until we think prices are as low as they'll go.
Etymology: from the idea that gunpowder (= an explosive substance in the form of a powder) will not explode if it is wet
See also: dry, keep

powder your nose

to use a public toilet. “I'm going to powder my nose,” Vera said, following Elise out of the room.
Usage notes: usually said by women
See also: nose

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? References in periodicals archive
In a scene redolent of vaudeville, a vain mistress orders Hannah to buy an Italian face powder.
Lachowicz also made use of face powder and eye shadow, but lipstick and appropriation were her signature material and method.
That's one reason it's the main ingredient in baby powder and face powder.
 
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