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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

irons in the fire en · NOUN

Pronunciation

Etymology

Describing a blacksmith working on several pieces at the same time.

Meanings

  1. (plural, plural-only) Tasks in progress; involvement in ongoing projects.
    • “Hippo, what are you working on? I've noticed you haven't debuted anything in a while, so it must be pretty good.” “What? Wh-why would I tell you that? I don't answer to you. I have a lot of irons in the fire. In fact, I should check on 'em. I'm checking on my irons!” 2025 May 11, Monica Padrick, “Don Tyxote” (3:18 from the start), in Krapopolis, season 2, episode 21, spoken by Hippocampus (Duncan Trussell):
    • Although she plans to step back from the boards of NSAR and East West Rail, there are "a couple of other irons in the fire". 2024 January 24, Dyan Perry talks to Nick Brodrick, “The industry has given me so much”, in RAIL, number 1001, page 45:

Relateds

have one's fingers in many pies · wear too many hats · too many balls in the air · spin plates

Translations (9)

nn ha mange jarn i elden (Translations) · de Eisen im Feuer (Translations) · is hafa mörg járn í eldinum (Translations) · pl zadania (Translations) · da have mange jern i ilden (Translations) · is vera ekki við eina fjölina felldur (Translations) · is vasast í mörgu (Translations) · fi monta rautaa tulessa (Translations) · is hafa margt í takinu (Translations)