A proverb originally alluding to the blacksmith's art. Cf. late 13th-cent. Fr. len doit batre le fer tandis cum il est chauz, one must strike the iron while it is hot.
Whil that iren is hoot, men sholden smyte.
[c 1386 Chaucer Tale of Melibee l. 1035]
And one good lesson to this purpose I pyke [pick] From the smiths forge, whan thyron is hote stryke.
[1546 J. Heywood Dialogue of Proverbs i. iii. A4]
I think it wisdome to strike while the iron is hot.
[1576 G. Pettie Petit Palace 181]
Finding‥the affections of the people warmly inclining to him, he, as thinking 'twas best striking while the iron is hot, made this‥speech.
[1682 Bunyan Holy War 18]
If so be as how his regard be the same, why stand shilly shally? Why not strike while the iron is hot, and speak to the 'squire without loss of time?
[1771 Smollett Humphry Clinker III. 242]
Let George cut in directly and win her. ‥Strike while the iron's hot.
[1848 Thackeray Vanity Fair xxi.]
‘It seems an inopportune moment,’ said the Senior Tutor doubtfully. ‥‘We must strike while the iron is hot,’ said the Dean.
[1974 T. Sharpe Porterhouse Blue xx.]
‘Excellent!’ I replied. ‘Let us take up the invitation this very weekend: strike while the iron is hot.’
[2000 ‘G. Williams’ Dr. Mortimer and Aldgate Mystery (2001) xxxii. 158]
Related to: opportunity
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
