“Don’t put too many irons in the fire”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase means not to take on more tasks or responsibilities than you can handle effectively at one time.
Tone Cautionary
Where it comes from
This idiom originates from blacksmithing, where having too many pieces of iron in the fire at once can lead to them not being heated properly. It cautions against doing too many things simultaneously to avoid poor results.
Examples
- While it’s tempting to join multiple clubs this semester, remember not to put too many irons in the fire.
- She’s taken on several projects at work, but I’m worried she might have too many irons in the fire.
Spotted a mistake in this article? Tell us