"strike while the iron is hot" meaning in English

See strike while the iron is hot in All languages combined, or Wiktionary

Verb

Audio: En-au-strike while the iron is hot.ogg [Australia] Forms: strikes while the iron is hot [present, singular, third-person], striking while the iron is hot [participle, present], struck while the iron is hot [participle, past], struck while the iron is hot [past]
Head templates: {{en-verb|strike<,,struck> while the iron is hot}} strike while the iron is hot (third-person singular simple present strikes while the iron is hot, present participle striking while the iron is hot, simple past and past participle struck while the iron is hot)
  1. (metallurgy, blacksmithing, literally) 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. Tags: literally Categories (topical): Blacksmithing, Metallurgy
    Sense id: en-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot-en-verb-drXErwB6 Categories (other): English entries with language name categories using raw markup, English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys Disambiguation of English entries with language name categories using raw markup: 59 41 Disambiguation of English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys: 53 47 Topics: engineering, metallurgy, natural-sciences, physical-sciences
  2. (idiomatic) To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting. Tags: idiomatic Translations (act on an opportunity promptly): dəmiri qızğınkən döyərlər (Azerbaijani), dəmir isti-isti döyülər (Azerbaijani), 魚趁生,人趁茈 [Hokkien] (Chinese), 鱼趁生 [Hokkien] (Chinese), 人趁茈 (hî-thàn-chhiⁿ, lâng-thàn-chíⁿ) [Hokkien] (Chinese), 趁熱打鐵 (Chinese Cantonese), 趁热打铁 (can³ jit⁶ daa² tit³) (Chinese Cantonese), 打鐵趁熱 (Chinese Cantonese), 打铁趁热 (daa² tit³ can³ jit⁶) (Chinese Cantonese), 趁熱打鐵 (Chinese Mandarin), 趁热打铁 (chènrè-dǎtiě) (Chinese Mandarin), 打鐵趁熱 (Chinese Mandarin), 打铁趁热 (dǎtiě-chènrè) (Chinese Mandarin), kout železo, dokud je žhavé (Czech), kuj železo, dokud je žhavé (Czech), smede mens jernet er varmt (Danish), het ijzer smeden als het heet is (Dutch), takoa kun rauta on kuumaa (Finnish), il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud (French), დაჰკარ, სანამ რკინა ცხელია (dahḳar, sanam rḳina cxelia) (Georgian), man muss das Eisen schmieden, solange es heiß ist (German), στη βράση κολλάει το σίδερο (sti vrási kolláei to sídero) (Greek), להכות בברזל בעודו חם (Hebrew), लोहा गरम हैं. मार दो हथौड़ा. (lohā garam ha͠i. mār do hathauṛā.) (Hindi), addig üsd a vasat, amíg meleg (Hungarian), buail an t-iarann te (Irish), battere il ferro finché è caldo (Italian), 善は急げ (zen wa isoge) (alt: ぜんはいそげ) (Japanese), 膳は急げ (zen wa isoge) (alt: ぜんはいそげ) (Japanese), 鉄は熱いうちに打て (tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute) (alt: てつはあついうちにうて) (Japanese), 쇠뿔도 단김에 빼랬다 (soeppuldo dan'gime ppaeraetda) (Korean), otútá ebendé ntángo ezalí na mɔ̌tɔ (Lingala), kalti geležį, kol ji karšta (Lithuanian), железото се кове додека е жешко (železoto se kove dodeka e žeško) (Macedonian), il-ftira sħuna tajba (Maltese), smi mens jernet er varmt (Norwegian), kuj żelazo póki gorące (Polish), kuć żelazo, póki gorące (Polish), malhar enquanto o ferro está quente (Portuguese), bate fierul cât e cald (Romanian), куй желе́зо, пока́ горячо́ (kuj želézo, poká gorjačó) (Russian), željezo se kuje dok je vruće (Serbo-Croatian), al hierro caliente batir de repente (Spanish), batir el hierro cuando está al rojo (Spanish), smida medan järnet är varmt (Swedish), ตีเหล็กเมื่อแดง กินแกงเมื่อร้อน (dtii-lèk-mʉ̂ʉa-dɛɛng-gin-gɛɛng-mʉ̂ʉa-rɔ́ɔn) (Thai), demir tavında dövülür (Turkish), bate li fier tant k' il est tchôd (Walloon), ploumer l’ ålouwete cwand on l’ tént (Walloon)
    Sense id: en-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot-en-verb-1MLAiRnp Categories (other): English proverbs, English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys Disambiguation of English proverbs: 44 56 Disambiguation of English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys: 53 47 Disambiguation of 'act on an opportunity promptly': 6 94
The following are not (yet) sense-disambiguated
Synonyms: make hay while the sun shines, take time by the forelock Related terms: grasp the nettle, time and tide wait for no man

Alternative forms

Download JSON data for strike while the iron is hot meaning in English (11.8kB)

{
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "strikes while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "striking while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "struck while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "struck while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "strike<,,struck> while the iron is hot"
      },
      "expansion": "strike while the iron is hot (third-person singular simple present strikes while the iron is hot, present participle striking while the iron is hot, simple past and past participle struck while the iron is hot)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "related": [
    {
      "_dis1": "53 47",
      "word": "grasp the nettle"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "53 47",
      "word": "time and tide wait for no man"
    }
  ],
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Blacksmithing",
          "orig": "en:Blacksmithing",
          "parents": [
            "Metalworking",
            "Crafts",
            "Metallurgy",
            "Society",
            "Metals",
            "Technology",
            "All topics",
            "Matter",
            "Fundamental",
            "Chemistry",
            "Nature",
            "Sciences"
          ],
          "source": "w"
        },
        {
          "kind": "topical",
          "langcode": "en",
          "name": "Metallurgy",
          "orig": "en:Metallurgy",
          "parents": [
            "Metals",
            "Technology",
            "Matter",
            "All topics",
            "Chemistry",
            "Nature",
            "Fundamental",
            "Sciences"
          ],
          "source": "w"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "59 41",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
          "parents": [
            "Entries with language name categories using raw markup",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "53 47",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
          "parents": [
            "Terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "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."
      ],
      "id": "en-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot-en-verb-drXErwB6",
      "links": [
        [
          "metallurgy",
          "metallurgy"
        ],
        [
          "blacksmithing",
          "blacksmithing"
        ],
        [
          "strike",
          "strike"
        ],
        [
          "metal",
          "metal"
        ],
        [
          "iron",
          "iron"
        ],
        [
          "mallet",
          "mallet"
        ],
        [
          "tool",
          "tool"
        ],
        [
          "cools",
          "cools"
        ],
        [
          "shaped",
          "shaped"
        ]
      ],
      "qualifier": "blacksmithing",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(metallurgy, blacksmithing, literally) 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."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "literally"
      ],
      "topics": [
        "engineering",
        "metallurgy",
        "natural-sciences",
        "physical-sciences"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        {
          "_dis": "44 56",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English proverbs",
          "parents": [],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        },
        {
          "_dis": "53 47",
          "kind": "other",
          "name": "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
          "parents": [
            "Terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
            "Entry maintenance"
          ],
          "source": "w+disamb"
        }
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "We should strike while the iron is hot and order some immediately, before they change the offer.",
          "type": "example"
        },
        {
          "ref": "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",
          "text": "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.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting."
      ],
      "id": "en-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot-en-verb-1MLAiRnp",
      "links": [
        [
          "act",
          "act"
        ],
        [
          "opportunity",
          "opportunity"
        ],
        [
          "promptly",
          "promptly"
        ],
        [
          "favorable",
          "favorable"
        ],
        [
          "conditions",
          "conditions"
        ],
        [
          "avoid",
          "avoid"
        ],
        [
          "waiting",
          "waiting"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(idiomatic) To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "idiomatic"
      ],
      "translations": [
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "az",
          "lang": "Azerbaijani",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "dəmiri qızğınkən döyərlər"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "az",
          "lang": "Azerbaijani",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "dəmir isti-isti döyülər"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "yue",
          "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "趁熱打鐵"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "yue",
          "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
          "roman": "can³ jit⁶ daa² tit³",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "趁热打铁"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "yue",
          "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "打鐵趁熱"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "yue",
          "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
          "roman": "daa² tit³ can³ jit⁶",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "打铁趁热"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "nan-hbl",
          "lang": "Chinese",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "tags": [
            "Hokkien"
          ],
          "word": "魚趁生,人趁茈"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "nan-hbl",
          "lang": "Chinese",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "tags": [
            "Hokkien"
          ],
          "word": "鱼趁生"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "nan-hbl",
          "lang": "Chinese",
          "roman": "hî-thàn-chhiⁿ, lâng-thàn-chíⁿ",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "tags": [
            "Hokkien"
          ],
          "word": "人趁茈"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "cmn",
          "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "趁熱打鐵"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "cmn",
          "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
          "roman": "chènrè-dǎtiě",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "趁热打铁"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "cmn",
          "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "打鐵趁熱"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "cmn",
          "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
          "roman": "dǎtiě-chènrè",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "打铁趁热"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "kout železo, dokud je žhavé"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "cs",
          "lang": "Czech",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "kuj železo, dokud je žhavé"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "da",
          "lang": "Danish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "smede mens jernet er varmt"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "nl",
          "lang": "Dutch",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "het ijzer smeden als het heet is"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "fi",
          "lang": "Finnish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "takoa kun rauta on kuumaa"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "fr",
          "lang": "French",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "ka",
          "lang": "Georgian",
          "roman": "dahḳar, sanam rḳina cxelia",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "დაჰკარ, სანამ რკინა ცხელია"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "de",
          "lang": "German",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "man muss das Eisen schmieden, solange es heiß ist"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "el",
          "lang": "Greek",
          "roman": "sti vrási kolláei to sídero",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "στη βράση κολλάει το σίδερο"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "he",
          "lang": "Hebrew",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "להכות בברזל בעודו חם"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "hi",
          "lang": "Hindi",
          "roman": "lohā garam ha͠i. mār do hathauṛā.",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "लोहा गरम हैं. मार दो हथौड़ा."
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "hu",
          "lang": "Hungarian",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "addig üsd a vasat, amíg meleg"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "ga",
          "lang": "Irish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "buail an t-iarann te"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "it",
          "lang": "Italian",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "battere il ferro finché è caldo"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "alt": "ぜんはいそげ",
          "code": "ja",
          "lang": "Japanese",
          "roman": "zen wa isoge",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "善は急げ"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "alt": "ぜんはいそげ",
          "code": "ja",
          "lang": "Japanese",
          "roman": "zen wa isoge",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "膳は急げ"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "alt": "てつはあついうちにうて",
          "code": "ja",
          "lang": "Japanese",
          "roman": "tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "鉄は熱いうちに打て"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "ko",
          "lang": "Korean",
          "roman": "soeppuldo dan'gime ppaeraetda",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "쇠뿔도 단김에 빼랬다"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "ln",
          "lang": "Lingala",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "otútá ebendé ntángo ezalí na mɔ̌tɔ"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "lt",
          "lang": "Lithuanian",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "kalti geležį, kol ji karšta"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "mk",
          "lang": "Macedonian",
          "roman": "železoto se kove dodeka e žeško",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "железото се кове додека е жешко"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "mt",
          "lang": "Maltese",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "il-ftira sħuna tajba"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "no",
          "lang": "Norwegian",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "smi mens jernet er varmt"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "kuj żelazo póki gorące"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "pl",
          "lang": "Polish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "kuć żelazo, póki gorące"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "pt",
          "lang": "Portuguese",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "malhar enquanto o ferro está quente"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "ro",
          "lang": "Romanian",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "bate fierul cât e cald"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "ru",
          "lang": "Russian",
          "roman": "kuj želézo, poká gorjačó",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "куй желе́зо, пока́ горячо́"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "sh",
          "lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "željezo se kuje dok je vruće"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "al hierro caliente batir de repente"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "es",
          "lang": "Spanish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "batir el hierro cuando está al rojo"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "sv",
          "lang": "Swedish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "smida medan järnet är varmt"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "th",
          "lang": "Thai",
          "roman": "dtii-lèk-mʉ̂ʉa-dɛɛng-gin-gɛɛng-mʉ̂ʉa-rɔ́ɔn",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "ตีเหล็กเมื่อแดง กินแกงเมื่อร้อน"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "tr",
          "lang": "Turkish",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "demir tavında dövülür"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "wa",
          "lang": "Walloon",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "bate li fier tant k' il est tchôd"
        },
        {
          "_dis1": "6 94",
          "code": "wa",
          "lang": "Walloon",
          "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
          "word": "ploumer l’ ålouwete cwand on l’ tént"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "audio": "En-au-strike while the iron is hot.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/7/7e/En-au-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot.ogg/En-au-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/En-au-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "_dis1": "53 47",
      "word": "make hay while the sun shines"
    },
    {
      "_dis1": "53 47",
      "word": "take time by the forelock"
    }
  ],
  "word": "strike while the iron is hot"
}
{
  "categories": [
    "English entries with language name categories using raw markup",
    "English lemmas",
    "English multiword terms",
    "English proverbs",
    "English terms with audio links",
    "English terms with non-redundant non-automated sortkeys",
    "English verbs"
  ],
  "forms": [
    {
      "form": "strikes while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "present",
        "singular",
        "third-person"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "striking while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "present"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "struck while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "participle",
        "past"
      ]
    },
    {
      "form": "struck while the iron is hot",
      "tags": [
        "past"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "head_templates": [
    {
      "args": {
        "1": "strike<,,struck> while the iron is hot"
      },
      "expansion": "strike while the iron is hot (third-person singular simple present strikes while the iron is hot, present participle striking while the iron is hot, simple past and past participle struck while the iron is hot)",
      "name": "en-verb"
    }
  ],
  "lang": "English",
  "lang_code": "en",
  "pos": "verb",
  "related": [
    {
      "word": "grasp the nettle"
    },
    {
      "word": "time and tide wait for no man"
    }
  ],
  "senses": [
    {
      "categories": [
        "en:Blacksmithing",
        "en:Metallurgy"
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "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."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "metallurgy",
          "metallurgy"
        ],
        [
          "blacksmithing",
          "blacksmithing"
        ],
        [
          "strike",
          "strike"
        ],
        [
          "metal",
          "metal"
        ],
        [
          "iron",
          "iron"
        ],
        [
          "mallet",
          "mallet"
        ],
        [
          "tool",
          "tool"
        ],
        [
          "cools",
          "cools"
        ],
        [
          "shaped",
          "shaped"
        ]
      ],
      "qualifier": "blacksmithing",
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(metallurgy, blacksmithing, literally) 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."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "literally"
      ],
      "topics": [
        "engineering",
        "metallurgy",
        "natural-sciences",
        "physical-sciences"
      ]
    },
    {
      "categories": [
        "English idioms",
        "English terms with quotations",
        "English terms with usage examples"
      ],
      "examples": [
        {
          "text": "We should strike while the iron is hot and order some immediately, before they change the offer.",
          "type": "example"
        },
        {
          "ref": "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",
          "text": "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.",
          "type": "quotation"
        }
      ],
      "glosses": [
        "To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting."
      ],
      "links": [
        [
          "act",
          "act"
        ],
        [
          "opportunity",
          "opportunity"
        ],
        [
          "promptly",
          "promptly"
        ],
        [
          "favorable",
          "favorable"
        ],
        [
          "conditions",
          "conditions"
        ],
        [
          "avoid",
          "avoid"
        ],
        [
          "waiting",
          "waiting"
        ]
      ],
      "raw_glosses": [
        "(idiomatic) To act on an opportunity promptly while favorable conditions exist; to avoid waiting."
      ],
      "tags": [
        "idiomatic"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "sounds": [
    {
      "audio": "En-au-strike while the iron is hot.ogg",
      "mp3_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/7/7e/En-au-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot.ogg/En-au-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot.ogg.mp3",
      "ogg_url": "https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/En-au-strike_while_the_iron_is_hot.ogg",
      "tags": [
        "Australia"
      ],
      "text": "Audio (AU)"
    }
  ],
  "synonyms": [
    {
      "word": "make hay while the sun shines"
    },
    {
      "word": "take time by the forelock"
    }
  ],
  "translations": [
    {
      "code": "az",
      "lang": "Azerbaijani",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "dəmiri qızğınkən döyərlər"
    },
    {
      "code": "az",
      "lang": "Azerbaijani",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "dəmir isti-isti döyülər"
    },
    {
      "code": "yue",
      "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "趁熱打鐵"
    },
    {
      "code": "yue",
      "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
      "roman": "can³ jit⁶ daa² tit³",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "趁热打铁"
    },
    {
      "code": "yue",
      "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "打鐵趁熱"
    },
    {
      "code": "yue",
      "lang": "Chinese Cantonese",
      "roman": "daa² tit³ can³ jit⁶",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "打铁趁热"
    },
    {
      "code": "nan-hbl",
      "lang": "Chinese",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "tags": [
        "Hokkien"
      ],
      "word": "魚趁生,人趁茈"
    },
    {
      "code": "nan-hbl",
      "lang": "Chinese",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "tags": [
        "Hokkien"
      ],
      "word": "鱼趁生"
    },
    {
      "code": "nan-hbl",
      "lang": "Chinese",
      "roman": "hî-thàn-chhiⁿ, lâng-thàn-chíⁿ",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "tags": [
        "Hokkien"
      ],
      "word": "人趁茈"
    },
    {
      "code": "cmn",
      "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "趁熱打鐵"
    },
    {
      "code": "cmn",
      "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
      "roman": "chènrè-dǎtiě",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "趁热打铁"
    },
    {
      "code": "cmn",
      "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "打鐵趁熱"
    },
    {
      "code": "cmn",
      "lang": "Chinese Mandarin",
      "roman": "dǎtiě-chènrè",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "打铁趁热"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "kout železo, dokud je žhavé"
    },
    {
      "code": "cs",
      "lang": "Czech",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "kuj železo, dokud je žhavé"
    },
    {
      "code": "da",
      "lang": "Danish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "smede mens jernet er varmt"
    },
    {
      "code": "nl",
      "lang": "Dutch",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "het ijzer smeden als het heet is"
    },
    {
      "code": "fi",
      "lang": "Finnish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "takoa kun rauta on kuumaa"
    },
    {
      "code": "fr",
      "lang": "French",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "il faut battre le fer pendant qu’il est chaud"
    },
    {
      "code": "ka",
      "lang": "Georgian",
      "roman": "dahḳar, sanam rḳina cxelia",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "დაჰკარ, სანამ რკინა ცხელია"
    },
    {
      "code": "de",
      "lang": "German",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "man muss das Eisen schmieden, solange es heiß ist"
    },
    {
      "code": "el",
      "lang": "Greek",
      "roman": "sti vrási kolláei to sídero",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "στη βράση κολλάει το σίδερο"
    },
    {
      "code": "he",
      "lang": "Hebrew",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "להכות בברזל בעודו חם"
    },
    {
      "code": "hi",
      "lang": "Hindi",
      "roman": "lohā garam ha͠i. mār do hathauṛā.",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "लोहा गरम हैं. मार दो हथौड़ा."
    },
    {
      "code": "hu",
      "lang": "Hungarian",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "addig üsd a vasat, amíg meleg"
    },
    {
      "code": "ga",
      "lang": "Irish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "buail an t-iarann te"
    },
    {
      "code": "it",
      "lang": "Italian",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "battere il ferro finché è caldo"
    },
    {
      "alt": "ぜんはいそげ",
      "code": "ja",
      "lang": "Japanese",
      "roman": "zen wa isoge",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "善は急げ"
    },
    {
      "alt": "ぜんはいそげ",
      "code": "ja",
      "lang": "Japanese",
      "roman": "zen wa isoge",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "膳は急げ"
    },
    {
      "alt": "てつはあついうちにうて",
      "code": "ja",
      "lang": "Japanese",
      "roman": "tetsu wa atsui uchi ni ute",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "鉄は熱いうちに打て"
    },
    {
      "code": "ko",
      "lang": "Korean",
      "roman": "soeppuldo dan'gime ppaeraetda",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "쇠뿔도 단김에 빼랬다"
    },
    {
      "code": "ln",
      "lang": "Lingala",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "otútá ebendé ntángo ezalí na mɔ̌tɔ"
    },
    {
      "code": "lt",
      "lang": "Lithuanian",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "kalti geležį, kol ji karšta"
    },
    {
      "code": "mk",
      "lang": "Macedonian",
      "roman": "železoto se kove dodeka e žeško",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "железото се кове додека е жешко"
    },
    {
      "code": "mt",
      "lang": "Maltese",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "il-ftira sħuna tajba"
    },
    {
      "code": "no",
      "lang": "Norwegian",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "smi mens jernet er varmt"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "kuj żelazo póki gorące"
    },
    {
      "code": "pl",
      "lang": "Polish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "kuć żelazo, póki gorące"
    },
    {
      "code": "pt",
      "lang": "Portuguese",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "malhar enquanto o ferro está quente"
    },
    {
      "code": "ro",
      "lang": "Romanian",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "bate fierul cât e cald"
    },
    {
      "code": "ru",
      "lang": "Russian",
      "roman": "kuj želézo, poká gorjačó",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "куй желе́зо, пока́ горячо́"
    },
    {
      "code": "sh",
      "lang": "Serbo-Croatian",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "željezo se kuje dok je vruće"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "al hierro caliente batir de repente"
    },
    {
      "code": "es",
      "lang": "Spanish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "batir el hierro cuando está al rojo"
    },
    {
      "code": "sv",
      "lang": "Swedish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "smida medan järnet är varmt"
    },
    {
      "code": "th",
      "lang": "Thai",
      "roman": "dtii-lèk-mʉ̂ʉa-dɛɛng-gin-gɛɛng-mʉ̂ʉa-rɔ́ɔn",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "ตีเหล็กเมื่อแดง กินแกงเมื่อร้อน"
    },
    {
      "code": "tr",
      "lang": "Turkish",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "demir tavında dövülür"
    },
    {
      "code": "wa",
      "lang": "Walloon",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "bate li fier tant k' il est tchôd"
    },
    {
      "code": "wa",
      "lang": "Walloon",
      "sense": "act on an opportunity promptly",
      "word": "ploumer l’ ålouwete cwand on l’ tént"
    }
  ],
  "word": "strike while the iron is hot"
}

This page is a part of the kaikki.org machine-readable English dictionary. This dictionary is based on structured data extracted on 2024-04-17 from the enwiktionary dump dated 2024-04-01 using wiktextract (0b52755 and 5cb0836). The data shown on this site has been post-processed and various details (e.g., extra categories) removed, some information disambiguated, and additional data merged from other sources. See the raw data download page for the unprocessed wiktextract data.

If you use this data in academic research, please cite Tatu Ylonen: Wiktextract: Wiktionary as Machine-Readable Structured Data, Proceedings of the 13th Conference on Language Resources and Evaluation (LREC), pp. 1317-1325, Marseille, 20-25 June 2022. Linking to the relevant page(s) under https://kaikki.org would also be greatly appreciated.