English Idiom – Too many irons in the fire (or several irons in the fire).
To be trying to do too many things at the same time. Someone with too many irons in the fire has taken on more than they can handle, and some tasks may suffer.
Without “too many”, irons in the fire can be neutral or even positive – it just means you have several projects or opportunities on the go: “I haven’t got a job yet, but I’ve got a few irons in the fire.”
Where Does It Come From?
The expression comes from blacksmiths – people who make things from iron and steel, like tools and horseshoes. The metal is heated in a forge (a very hot fire) and then hammered into shape on an anvil. A blacksmith with too many irons in the fire can’t work on them all before they cool down!
Related Expressions:
- Too much on my plate – a very similar idiom.
- If you have too many irons in the fire, you may have to take a rain check!
Usage:
- Someone is taking on too much work.
- A friend is exhausted from juggling too many projects.
- Someone is struggling to keep on top of their workload.
Example:
- “He’s planning the expansion, hiring new staff and finishing his degree. We can’t give him any more work – he’s already got too many irons in the fire.”
Learn More
Look it upIrons in the fireWiktionaryWhat is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Trying to do too many things at once, so that you cannot do them all well.
From blacksmiths, who heat pieces of iron in a fire before shaping them.
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