We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Mythology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does an "Arrow in the Quiver" Mean?

By A. Leverkuhn
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 50,504
References
Share

When an English speaker refers to an “arrow in the quiver,” they are talking about something that is an additional resource aiding in the achievement of some goal or objective. This sort of phrase is what’s known as a sports metaphor, related to the sport of archery. Arguably, this can also be called a “battle metaphor” related to classic warfare and the use of bows and arrows as weapons.

The origin of the phrase “arrow in the quiver” is not entirely known. Many language experts agree that this phrase must have developed over time as an allegory for the benefits of having ammunition at the ready; a quiver is the cylindrical case archers commonly use to carry their arrows. This metaphor can also be considered a hunting metaphor, where those who hunt with bows and arrows need to have sufficient numbers of arrows at hand to kill and capture their game when spotted.

In most uses of this idiomatic phrase, the speaker is talking about the need to have diverse resources or strategies to handle a challenge or any obstacles to an objective. Most commonly, this idiom represents an extreme abstraction of the idea of having physical arrows in a quiver. For example, if someone says “having good communication skills can be another arrow in your quiver when you go for a job interview,” the “arrow” in the metaphor is in the form of an intangible skill, rather than something concrete that can be stored or used up.

The phrase “arrow in the quiver” is not the only archery metaphor familiar to English speakers. Some also use the phrase “strings to your bow,” and while this may have other meanings, for example, related to stringed instruments like the fiddle, many identify the literal meaning of this phrase as multiple strings in an archery bow. Here, the “strings” in the bow make the bow more resilient and generally stronger.

To contrast the two phrases “arrow in the quiver” and “strings in your bow,” it’s evident that these two idioms work in a very similar way. A well-prepared person might have many arrows in the quiver, in order to avoid running out of “bow shots,” and many strings in the bow to make sure that the bow doesn’t break during archery or hunting. In general, both of these phrases are used to mean “well prepared.”

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
By anon933725 — On Feb 17, 2014

Feathers in your hat are accomplishments rather than tools at your disposal.

By Rundocuri — On Feb 13, 2014

I have never heard of the metaphor "arrow in the quiver." Is that anything like "feather in your hat?"

Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-an-arrow-in-the-quiver-mean.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.