iron (redirected from have many irons in the fire)

all oak and iron bound and *sound as a barrel

Rur. in good health; feeling good. (*Also: as ~.) Tom: How are you today? Bill: All oak and iron bound, thank you. Jane made a wonderful recovery from her surgery, and now she's as sound as a barrel.

See also: and, barrel, bound, oak

cast-iron stomach

Fig. a very strong stomach that can withstand bad food or anything nauseating. If I didn't have a cast-iron stomach, I couldn't eat this stuff. Fred—known for his cast-iron stomach—ate ten whole hot peppers.

See also: stomach

have too many irons in the fire

Fig. to be doing too many things at once. Tom had too many irons in the fire and missed some important deadlines. It's better if you don't have too many irons in the fire.

See also: fire, have, many

iron something out 

1. Lit. to use a flatiron to make cloth flat or smooth. I will iron the drapes out, so they will hang together. I ironed out the drapes.

2. . Fig. to ease a problem; to smooth out a problem. (Here problem is synonymous with wrinkle.) It's only a little problem. I can iron it out very quickly. We will iron out all these little matters first.

See also: out

pump (some) iron

Sl. to lift weights for exercise. Andy went down to the gym to pump some iron. Mary's hobbies are pumping iron and running.

See also: pump

rule with an iron fist

Fig. to rule in a very stern manner. The dictator ruled with an iron fist and terrified the citizens. My boss rules with an iron fist. I'm looking for a new job.

See also: fist, rule

Strike while the iron is hot.

Prov. When you have an opportunity to do something, do it before you lose your chance. This is the best time in the last ten years to buy a house. Strike while the iron is hot. Ask Lisa for a favor now, while she's in a good mood. Strike while the iron is hot.

See also: hot, strike

---

an iron fist/hand in a velvet glove

something that you say when you are describing someone who seems to be gentle but is in fact severe and firm To enforce each new law the president uses persuasion first, and then force - the iron hand in the velvet glove.

See also: fist, glove, velvet

an iron man  (American & Australian)

a man who is physically very strong and can work hard for a long time He likes to think of himself as some sort of iron man who doesn't need sleep like the rest of us.

See also: man

can talk the legs off an iron pot

(Australian) if someone can talk the legs off an iron pot, they talk a lot I dread getting into a conversation with Gillian - she can talk the legs off an iron pot.

See also: can, leg, pot, talk

cast-iron

a cast-iron promise or arrangement is one that can be trusted completely (always before noun) No new business comes with a cast-iron guarantee of success.

have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire

to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work If that job application doesn't work out I've got a couple more irons in the fire.

See also: few, fire, have, lot

iron out the kinks  (mainly American)

to get rid of any problems that you are having with the way that you are doing something The team was still trying to iron out the kinks in their game in the last quarter.

See pump iron, rule with a rod of iron, strike while the iron is hot

See also: kink, out

pump iron  (informal)

to lift heavy objects for exercise in order to increase your strength or to improve your appearance These days, both men and women pump iron for fitness.

See prime the pump

See also: pump

rule (somebody) with a rod of iron  (British, American & Australian) also rule (somebody) with an iron fist/hand (American & Australian)

to control a group of people very firmly, having complete power over everything that they do For 17 years she ruled the country with a rod of iron. My uncle rules the family business with an iron hand.

See also: rod, rule

strike while the iron is hot

to do something immediately while you have a good chance of achieving success You may not get a better offer - I'd strike while the iron's hot, if I were you.

See strike a chord, hit home, hit pay dirt, hit the right note

See also: hot, strike

---

iron out something also iron something out

to solve all problems that are still left The two sides need to keep talking until they iron out their differences.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of iron out small folds in cloth (to use a small, heated device to make cloth smooth)

See also: out

pump iron

to use special equipment to strengthen your muscles The ads show people of all ages pumping iron.

See also: pump

several irons in the fire

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

See also: fire, several

strike while the iron is hot

take action immediately in order to have a better chance of success When you have a customer on the phone, strike while the iron is hot by offering special discounts on certain items.

See also: hot, strike