Example: Het is verstandig om het ijzer te smeden als het heet is.
Definition
"Het ijzer smeden als het heet is" is a Dutch expression meaning to take advantage of an opportunity promptly, acting decisively when conditions are most favorable to achieve the best results.
The phrase "het ijzer smeden als het heet is" literally means 'to forge the iron while it is hot.' It originates from blacksmithing, where iron must be shaped when heated and malleable. Did you know this metaphor has been used for centuries to encourage timely action in various situations?
Learn to use this expression actively
"Het ijzer smeden als het heet is" appears in the Vocaplus list "Dutch - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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to strike while the iron is hot