Meaning of strike while the iron is hot | Babel Free
Definitions
-
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. literally
-
To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting. idiomatic
Equivalents
Italiano
battere il ferro finché è caldo
한국어
쇠뿔도 단김에 빼랬다
Nederlands
het ijzer smeden als het heet is
Polski
kuć żelazo, póki gorące
Português
malhar enquanto o ferro está quente
Русский
куй железо, пока горячо
Svenska
smida medan järnet är varmt
Türkçe
demir tavında dövülür
Examples
“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.”
CEFR level
C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.