food for powder

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But how did you come to be pressed? it's generally the ne'er do well and idle who get picked out as food for powder.

From The Bravest of the Brave — or, with Peterborough in Spain by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

The contrabands came with wide grins and low bows, And old ragged slouches swung wide from their brows; But the home guards ran wildly—then blustered, when found Not made food for powder, but Union-ward bound.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 6, No 3, September 1864 Devoted To Literature And National Policy by Various

As one way of turning pirates to some useful account, these forgiven rogues were promptly drafted into the royal navy as able seamen, and doubtless made excellent food for powder.

From The Book of Buried Treasure Being a True History of the Gold, Jewels, and Plate of Pirates, Galleons, etc., which are sought for to this day by Paine, Ralph Delahaye

Nobody couldn’t make nothing o’ him but a drill-serjeant, and he won’t try, because Pete’s too ugly and okkard even to be food for powder and shot.”

From The Vast Abyss The Story of Tom Blount, his Uncles and his Cousin Sam by Fenn, George Manville

Simple, laborious, religious, frugal, they deserve better than to be food for powder.

From Bulgaria by Fox, Frank, Sir