take a powder


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Related to take a powder: out of whack, without a hitch

pow·der

 (pou′dər)
n.
1. A substance consisting of ground, pulverized, or otherwise finely dispersed solid particles.
2. Any of various preparations in the form of powder, as certain cosmetics and medicines.
3. A dry explosive mixture, such as gunpowder.
4. Light dry snow.
tr.v. pow·dered, pow·der·ing, pow·ders
1. To turn into or produce as a powder: tea that is powdered.
2. To put powder on: powdered the cake with sugar.
3. To strew or ornament with small objects or flecks: The stars powdered the sky.
Idioms:
keep (one's) powder dry
To be ready for a challenge with little warning.
take a powder
To make a quick departure; run away.

[Middle English poudre, from Old French, from Latin pulvis, pulver-.]

pow′der·er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

take a powder

- Comes from "take a runout powder," with powder meaning "impetus, rush; impetuosity."
See also related terms for powder.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Verb1.take a powder - disappear without notifying anyone (idiom)
disappear, vanish, go away - get lost, as without warning or explanation; "He disappeared without a trace"
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