STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT

To strike while the iron is hot is to take advantage of an opportunity immediately so that you have the best chance of success.

 Examples

 “Be prepared to strike while the iron is hot.”

 “Everton will be desperate to redeem themselves after their humiliating loss at Anfield, whereas Brighton will see this as a chance to strike while the iron is hot.”

 “Maybe FFA needs to strike while the iron is hot and focus on delivering more while more eyeballs than ever before are on the women’s game in Australia.”


 The phrase refers to a blacksmith shaping an iron horseshoe at the exact time that the metal was at the correct temperature and not giving it time to cool, when it would become more difficult to work with. [1]


 [1] Jack, Albert. Red Herrings & White Elephants: The Origins of the Phrases We Use Every Day

 Updated Thursday 12 March 2020