strike while the iron is hot en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
The adage originates from the common craft of blacksmithing. It appears in Chaucer's The Tale of Melibee, "right so as whil that iren is hoot men sholden smyte". (Harvard) It gained additional meaning when used as a motto by Joseph Paisley - a blacksmith at Gretna Green who married eloping couples at his anvil. (History in the Margins)
Meanings
- (literally, qualifier:blacksmithing) To strike a hot piece of metal, especially iron, with a mallet or other tool before it cools, while it is still hot enough to be shaped.
-
(idiomatic) To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting.
We should strike while the iron is hot and order some immediately, before they change the offer.
The Gap thus stopp'd, with her Army she marcheth to the Cage that kept those Birds, whose Wings she would be clipping. She knew if she struck not while the Iron was hot, the heat of a popular Faction would quickly sink and lessen.
c. 1620s, Elizabeth Cary [misattributed to Henry Cary], The History Of the most unfortunate Prince King Edward II. […] , London: A.G. and F. P., published 1680, page 41:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| struck while the iron is hot | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| struck while the iron is hot | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| striking while the iron is hot | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| strikes while the iron is hot | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Relateds
time and tide wait for no man · grasp the nettle
Synonyms
take time by the forelock · make hay while the sun shines
Translations (44)
el στη βράση κολλάει το σίδερο (act on an opportunity promptly) · sv smida medan järnet är varmt (act on an opportunity promptly) · cs kout železo, dokud je žhavé (act on an opportunity promptly) · sh željezo se kuje dok je vruće (act on an opportunity promptly) · it battere il ferro finché è caldo (act on an opportunity promptly) · ro bate fierul cât e cald (act on an opportunity promptly) · cs kuj železo, dokud je žhavé (act on an opportunity promptly) · pl kuć żelazo, póki gorące (act on an opportunity promptly) · fr il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud (act on an opportunity promptly) · yue 趁熱打鐵 /趁热打铁 (act on an opportunity promptly) · es batir el hierro cuando está al rojo (act on an opportunity promptly) · he הכה בברזל בעודו חם (act on an opportunity promptly) · no smi mens jernet er varmt (act on an opportunity promptly) · hu addig üsd a vasat, amíg meleg (act on an opportunity promptly) · ln otútá ebendé ntángo ezalí na mɔ̌tɔ (act on an opportunity promptly) · de man muss das Eisen schmieden, solange es heiß ist (act on an opportunity promptly) · az dəmir isti-isti döyülər (act on an opportunity promptly) · ja 善は急げ (act on an opportunity promptly) · nan-hbl 魚趁生，人趁茈 /鱼趁生 (act on an opportunity promptly) · da smede mens jernet er varmt (act on an opportunity promptly) · pt malhar enquanto o ferro está quente (act on an opportunity promptly) · ja 鉄は熱いうちに打て (act on an opportunity promptly) · lt kalti geležį, kol ji karšta (act on an opportunity promptly) · ru куй желе́зо, пока́ горячо́ (act on an opportunity promptly) · mt il-ftira sħuna tajba (act on an opportunity promptly) · ko 쇠뿔도 단김에 빼랬다 (act on an opportunity promptly) · cmn 趁熱打鐵 /趁热打铁 (act on an opportunity promptly) · ka დაჰკარ, სანამ რკინა ცხელია (act on an opportunity promptly) · th ตีเหล็กเมื่อแดง กินแกงเมื่อร้อน (act on an opportunity promptly) · nl het ijzer smeden als het heet is (act on an opportunity promptly) · es al hierro caliente batir de repente (act on an opportunity promptly) · tr demir tavında dövülür (act on an opportunity promptly) · sq hekuri rrihet sa është i nxehtë (act on an opportunity promptly) · cmn 打鐵趁熱 /打铁趁热 (act on an opportunity promptly) · hi लोहा गरम हैं. मार दो हथौड़ा. (act on an opportunity promptly) · mk железото се кове додека е жешко (act on an opportunity promptly) · yue 打鐵趁熱 /打铁趁热 (act on an opportunity promptly) · nan-hbl 人趁茈 (act on an opportunity promptly) · ga buail an t-iarann te (act on an opportunity promptly) · az dəmiri qızğınkən döyərlər (act on an opportunity promptly) · wa ploumer l’ ålouwete cwand on l’ tént (act on an opportunity promptly) · wa bate li fier tant k' il est tchôd (act on an opportunity promptly) · fi takoa kun rauta on kuumaa (act on an opportunity promptly) · ja 膳は急げ (act on an opportunity promptly)