What Does “Irons in the Fire” Mean?
“Irons in the fire” is an idiom that refers to activities or projects that someone is involved in. It is often used to describe a situation where someone has multiple tasks or projects that they are working on simultaneously. For example, if someone says they have “a lot of irons in the fire,” it means they are involved in many different activities or projects at the same time.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of the phrase “irons in the fire” is not entirely clear. However, it is believed to have originated from the blacksmithing trade. In the past, blacksmiths would heat up multiple iron rods in a fire so that they could work on them simultaneously. This allowed them to be more efficient and complete their work faster. Over time, the phrase “irons in the fire” became a metaphor for having multiple tasks or projects in progress at the same time.
Examples of “Irons in the Fire”
The idiom “irons in the fire” can be used in a variety of contexts. Here are some examples:
- “I have a lot of irons in the fire right now, so I’m pretty busy.”
- “She’s got a lot of irons in the fire, but she always manages to get everything done.”
- “I’m trying to balance all of my irons in the fire, but it’s not easy.”
