[VP; impers; often used with infin]
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⇒ s.o. does not have the courage, energy, will etc to accomplish sth.:
- у X-a пороху не хватает{{}}≈ X hasn't got the guts <the stomach, the gumption, the stamina, the strength> (to do sth.);
- X hasn't got it in him (to do sth.);
- X doesn't have what it takes.
♦ Рита... сказала, что боится за себя, за то, что не хватит пороха ухаживать за больной... (Трифонов 5)...Rita went on to say that she was worried on her own account, that she wouldn't have the strength to take care of a sick person... (5a).
Большой русско-английский фразеологический словарь. — М.: ACT-ПРЕСС КНИГА. С.И. Лубенская. 2004.