proverb · Words worth keeping
Don’t have too many irons in the fire.
Don’t have too many irons in the fire.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying warns against having too many irons in a fire. As an analogy, it questions taking on more simultaneous undertakings than can be attended to.
What the words are saying
Too many describes an excess without counting it. A useful application can compare commitments with available time and support. The phrase does not prohibit all varied interests or prescribe a metalworking technique; coordination may make several activities manageable.
Everyday example
Someone reviews their commitments and reschedules one that cannot receive adequate attention.
When to use it
Use it to discuss capacity across simultaneous commitments.
What it does not mean
Multiple activities are not inherently excessive, and no tool-use guidance is provided.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 253; PDF page 40
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.