have many, etc. irons in the fire
have many irons in the fire
To have several simultaneous activities or potential undertakings or opportunities. I have many irons in the fire at work right now and it's going to be tricky to balance all of them over the next few weeks. A: "How's the job search going?" B: "No interviews yet, but I have many irons in the fire."
See also: fire, have, iron, many
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
have many, etc. irons in the ˈfire
have many, etc. different plans, projects, etc. at the same time, often with the hope that at least one will be successful: She’s still got several irons in the fire: her television work, her film work and her writing.This idiom refers to blacksmiths (= people whose job it is to make and repair things made of iron), who have several pieces of iron in the fire at a time, so that there is always one piece that is hot enough to work with.See also: fire, have, iron
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- have many irons in the fire
- have a lot of irons in the fire
- have several irons in the fire
- several irons in the fire
- too many irons in the fire
- have too many irons in the fire
- irons in the fire, lots of/too many
- irons in the fire, too many
- iron in the fire
- clap (one) in irons