a number of jobs or possibilities available at the same time.

Job counselors recommend keeping several irons in the fire when you’re looking for work.

Usage notes: also used in the forms a lot of or many irons in the fire

Etymology: possibly from the fact that people who take care of cattle keep several branding irons (= devices used to burn a mark on the skin of a cow) in a fire and ready for use when they are marking cows

• have had your chips
• have had your day
• have had your fill
• have had your fill of
• have had your fill of something
• have half a mind
• have half a mind to
• have half a mind to do something
• have half an ear on
• have half an ear on something
• have half an eye on
• have half an eye on someone
• have half an eye on something
• have hand in the till
• have hands full
• have hanging over head
• have hanging over your head
• have head in the clouds
• have head screwed on
• have head screwed on right
• have head screwed on the right way
• have head stuck up arse
• have head stuck up your arse
• have head up arse
• have head up your arse