Strike while the iron is hot

1. Take advantage of favorable circumstances while they last. The image is from a blacksmith's shop; the smith can shape iron only by striking it with his hammer when it is red hot.

Idioms and Phrases

Take advantage of favorable conditions, as in They just made a huge profit, so let's strike while the iron is hot and ask for some money . This adage alludes to the blacksmith's forge. [Late 1300s] Also see make hay while the sun shines .