Everyday Office Jargon · Managing Director level

"Dry powder"

"Dry powder" means cash reserves or available capital that a company or investor is holding back for future opportunities or emergencies.

Say this instead: cash reserves

How "Dry powder" shows up at work

Borrowed from the military (literally keeping gunpowder dry so it fires when needed) and now deployed in every investor update where someone wants to sound strategic about not having spent money yet. Venture capitalists and CFOs are the primary carriers.

Buzzword

We still have significant dry powder to deploy if the right acquisition presents itself.

Plain English

We still have significant cash reserves to use if the right acquisition presents itself.

Corporate Rank: Managing Director · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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