several irons in the fire

several irons in the fire
a number of jobs or possibilities available at the same time.

Job counselors recommend keeping several irons in the fire when you’re looking for work.

Usage notes: also used in the forms a lot of or many irons in the fire
Etymology: possibly from the fact that people who take care of cattle keep several branding irons (= devices used to burn a mark on the skin of a cow) in a fire and ready for use when they are marking cows

New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • have several irons in the fire — have several/different/other/irons in the fire phrase to be busy with several different activities, or to have several different plans He revealed that the club already has some irons in the fire as regards one or two new faces for next season.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • irons in the fire — have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work. If that job application doesn t work out I ve got a couple more irons in the fire …   New idioms dictionary

  • irons in the fire —    A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things working to their advantage at the same time.   (Dorking School Dictionary)    ***    If you have a few, or many, irons in the fire, you are involved in several projects at the… …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • have ... irons in the fire — have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work. If that job application doesn t work out I ve got a couple more irons in the fire …   New idioms dictionary

  • have irons in the fire — have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work. If that job application doesn t work out I ve got a couple more irons in the fire …   New idioms dictionary

  • have different irons in the fire — have several/different/other/irons in the fire phrase to be busy with several different activities, or to have several different plans He revealed that the club already has some irons in the fire as regards one or two new faces for next season.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • have other irons in the fire — have several/different/other/irons in the fire phrase to be busy with several different activities, or to have several different plans He revealed that the club already has some irons in the fire as regards one or two new faces for next season.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire — to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work. If that job application doesn t work out I ve got a couple more irons in the fire …   New idioms dictionary

  • have a few irons in the fire — have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work. If that job application doesn t work out I ve got a couple more irons in the fire …   New idioms dictionary

  • have a lot irons in the fire — have [a few/a lot etc.] irons in the fire to have several jobs at the same time or to have several possibilities of work. If that job application doesn t work out I ve got a couple more irons in the fire …   New idioms dictionary

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