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unmask one's batteries

verb

Etymology

From the revealing of artillery previously concealed from the enemy’s line of sight, immediately before opening fire.

Definitions

  1. To begin a decisive action, especially one that reveals one’s true strength or character.

    • “Your father is fond of surprises, as you must have seen,” Cuthbert rejoined. “He won’t unmask his batteries till all is ready for action.”
    • The bishops, proud of this first victory, believed that a second would be easily won, and they unmasked their batteries.

  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

    Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see unmask, battery.

The neighborhood

Vish — recursive loop

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sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA