take a powder

pow·der  (poudr)

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. An explosive mixture, such as gunpowder.

4. Light dry snow.

v. pow·dered, pow·der·ing, pow·ders

v.tr.

1. To reduce to powder; pulverize.

2. To dust or cover with or as if with powder.

3. Slang To defeat handily or decisively.

v.intr.

1. To become pulverized; turn into powder.

2. To use powder as a cosmetic.

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.

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

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powder·er n.

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

take a powder - disappear without notifying anyone (idiom) skip town disappear, vanish, go away - get lost, as without warning or explanation; "He disappeared without a trace"