Meaning of Idiom ‘Strike While the Iron is Hot’
To strike when the iron is hot means you have to take advantage of an opportunity as soon as it occurs, while the situation is advantageous or favorable before the opportunity goes away.
Examples Of Use
“People in the center of scandals often write memoirs of their experiences while their deeds are still in the news, therefore profiting off of their crime. You have to strike while the iron is hot, they figure.”
“You may not get any other investment offers. You’d better strike while the iron is hot.”
“The enemy’s forces are divided. We should strike while the iron is hot.”
“Strike while the iron is hot! Buy now!
Origin
Used since at least the late-1300s.
This idiom calls to mind a blacksmith heating iron in a forge. Striking cold metal is useless and a good blacksmith knows you have to strike the metal while it is still glowing hot, before it cools down too much to be forgeable.
