strike while the iron is hot

英語

詞源

(此詞的語源缺失或不完整。請協助添加，或在茶室進行討論。尤其注意：「最早的使用出處？許多語言都有類似的表達，那麼這個短語是出自英語自體還是從其他語言借入？」)

發音

• 音頻 (澳大利亞)：

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動詞

Striking red-hot iron
擊打燒紅的鐵

strike while the iron is hot (第三人稱單數簡單現在時 strikes while the iron is hot，現在分詞 striking while the iron is hot，一般過去時及過去分詞 struck while the iron is hot)

1. (冶金學，鍛造，字面義) 趁金屬片（尤其是鐵片）燒紅時去敲打以塑形
2. (俗語) 趁熱打鐵：抓緊條件有利時行動

   We should strike while the iron is hot and order some immediately, before they change the offer.

   我們應該趁熱打鐵，立即訂購一些，以免他們改變報價。

   • c. 1620s, Elizabeth Cary [misattributed to Henry Cary], The History Of the most unfortunate Prince King Edward II. […] , London: A.G. and F. P., 出版於 1680，第 41 頁:

     The Gap thus stopp'd, with her Army she marcheth to the Cage that kept those Birds, whose Wings she would be clipping. She knew if she struck not while the Iron was hot, the heat of a popular Faction would quickly sink and lessen.

     （請為本引文添加中文翻譯）

用法說明

• 用命令式表達時，這個詞有個廣為人知的說法或者諺語：

  Strike while the iron is hot!

  要趁熱打鐵！

近義詞

• make hay while the sun shines
• take time by the forelock

參見

• grasp the nettle
• time and tide wait for no man

參考資料

• Gregory Y. Titelman, Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings, 1996, ISBN 0-679-44554-4, p. 309.