dry run

noun

1. a rehearsal or practice exercise.

2. Military.,  practice in firing arms without using live ammunition.

dry run

noun

1. military practice in weapon firing, a drill, or a manoeuvre without using live ammunition

2. informal,  a trial or practice, esp in simulated conditions; rehearsal

Other Word Forms

• dry-run adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dry run¹

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45

Idioms and Phrases

A trial exercise or rehearsal, as in Regard this as a dry run for tonight's ceremony. This term, using dry in the sense of “unproductive,” was at first employed mainly in the military for simulated bombings in which no bombs were dropped. [c. 1940]

Example Sentences

During the hearing, the court heard how the pair had trialled a "dry run" of the operation in April before attempting the real thing two months later.

From BBC

In November, Polish prosecutors said a series of parcel fires targeting courier companies in Europe were dry runs by groups aiming to sabotaging flights to the US and Canada.

From BBC

A series of parcel fires targeting courier companies in Poland, Germany and the UK were dry runs aimed at sabotaging flights to the US and Canada, Polish prosecutors say.

From BBC

Much of the build-up to both of England's recent games against New Zealand was if it was a dry run for next year's Rugby World Cup final.

From BBC

Officers had acted on intelligence and tracked the movements of two previous shipments in the lead-up to the seizure which officers described as "dry runs".

From BBC

Related Words

• dress rehearsal 
• tryout