--- optiview_delivery: edge_optimized content_type: semantic_markdown source_url: https://learnings.org/term/strike-while-the-iron-is-hot brand_content: none publication_version: "3.0" published_at: 2026-10-05T14:06:11Z composition_version: composition-v2.1.0 presentation_version: presentation-v1.2.0 --- # Strike while the iron is hot [Skip to content](https://learnings.org/term/strike-while-the-iron-is-hot#main-content) - [All](https://learnings.org/terms) - [2](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=2) - [3](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=3) - [8](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=8) - [A](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=A) - [B](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=B) - [C](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=C) - [D](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=D) - [E](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=E) - [F](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=F) - [G](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=G) - [H](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=H) - [I](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=I) - [J](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=J) - [K](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=K) - [L](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=L) - [M](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=M) - [N](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=N) - [O](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=O) - [P](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=P) - [Q](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=Q) - [R](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=R) - [S](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=S) - [T](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=T) - [U](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=U) - [V](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=V) - [W](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=W) - [Y](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=Y) - [Z](https://learnings.org/terms?letter=Z) A blacksmithing metaphor used in business to mean "act quickly while conditions are good," usually said by people who have never worked with hot metal and don't understand the actual skill involved. ### Examples Examples: - "We need to strike while the iron is hot." (we need to act quickly) - "The market is good, so let's strike while the iron is hot." (the market is good, so let's act) - "Strike while the iron is hot, as they say." (act while conditions are good) ### Tags blacksmithingmetaphorquicklyconditionsbusiness 405 views • Created 5/11/2024 📢 Share Learnings ### Related Terms [ #### Food chain The hierarchy of roles within an organization. 1757 views• corporate, buzzword ](https://learnings.org/term/food-chain)[ #### Make hay while the sun shines A farming metaphor used in business to mean "take advantage of good... 1746 views• farming, metaphor ](https://learnings.org/term/make-hay-while-the-sun-shines)[ #### Brain surgery A phrase used to dismiss complex tasks as simple, usually by people... 1744 views• dismissive, complexity ](https://learnings.org/term/brain-surgery)[ #### Churn The rate at which employees or customers leave a business. 1659 views• corporate, buzzword ](https://learnings.org/term/churn)[ #### Level playing field A sports metaphor used in business to describe fair competition, usually said... 1550 views• sports, metaphor ](https://learnings.org/term/level-playing-field) Keep exploring the corporate jargon dictionary ## 🌍 In the Wild \+ Add Example No examples yet. Be the first to add one! ### 🤖 AI Tools 🎓 Translate with Professor📝 Open Writing Tools🎯 Play Buzzword Bingo 🎓 Ask the Professor ## Additional source context © 2008–2026 Learnings Dot Org — Speak fluent corporate. Ironically. ## Additional page links - [Food chain · The hierarchy of roles within an organization. · 1757 views• corporate, buzzword](https://learnings.org/term/food-chain) — Related Terms - [Make hay while the sun shines · A farming metaphor used in business to mean "take advantage of good... · 1746 views• farming, metaphor](https://learnings.org/term/make-hay-while-the-sun-shines) — Related Terms - [Brain surgery · A phrase used to dismiss complex tasks as simple, usually by people... · 1744 views• dismissive, complexity](https://learnings.org/term/brain-surgery) — Related Terms - [Churn · The rate at which employees or customers leave a business. · 1659 views• corporate, buzzword](https://learnings.org/term/churn) — Related Terms - [Level playing field · A sports metaphor used in business to describe fair competition, usually said... · 1550 views• sports, metaphor](https://learnings.org/term/level-playing-field) — Related Terms