strike the iron while it's hot

English

Verb

strike the iron while it's hot (third-person singular simple present strikes the iron while it's hot, present participle striking the iron while it's hot, simple past and past participle struck the iron while it's hot)

1. Alternative form of strike while the iron is hot
   • 1858, Joseph Edwards Carpenter, “Strike The Iron While It's Hot”, in The Book of Modern Songs, page 37:

     With the thought, the deed begin it,
     Act at once, — upon the spot;
     What you'd gain, the way to win it,
     Strike the iron while it's hot!

   • 1875, Eugène Pottier (lyrics and music), “The Internationale”, Pierre De Geyter (music)‎^[1]:

     'Ere the thieves will out with their booty/And to all give a happier lot,/Each at the forge must do his duty/And strike the iron while it's hot!