To have (too) many irons in the fire "to be doing too much at once" is from 1549. irons in the fire, matters with which one is immediately concerned; undertakings; projects: He had other irons in the fire, so that one failure would not destroy him. "Don't have too many irons in the fire" is a saying of unknown origin but is believed to date back to the 1600's. Nowadays it means we shouldn't take on more than we can handle
To be engaged in too many activities at the same time. This expressions originates from blacksmiths. A blacksmith is a person who works with iron and steel. A blacksmith might make tools with iron or steel, or make shoes for horses. Iron or steel is heated in a forge (very hot fire) then hammered into shape on an anvil (hard metal workbench). If a blacksmith has too many irons in the fire he will be extremely busy! A blacksmith at work. Usage: When could you use this idiom? If you believe someone is taking on too much work. When you discuss someone who is extremely busy.
A fire iron is any metal instrument for tending a fire. There are three types of tools commonly used to tend a small fire, such as an indoor fireplace fire or yule log, the spade, the tongs and the poker itself. These tools make it possible to handle a fire without risk of burns or blisters. A fireplace poker, (also known as a fire iron) is a short, rigid rod made of fireproof material used to adjust coal and wood fuel burning in a fireplace, and can be used to stir up a fire
Too many irons in the fire can sap your energy and prevent you from seeing which path to take. COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary.
irons in the fire, too many. Too many activities or undertakings at once. For example, Bill's got too many irons in the fire to cope with moving this year. This expression originally referred to the blacksmith heating too many irons at once and therefore spoiling some in the forging.
She lived among hubbering flights and sparks She breathed them in they nested in her ears Life is toying with bringing back again The tool that planes against the grain. Now too much has passed but never mind Because everything turns out nicely in the summer time There's too many Irons in the fire There's iron loss from iron gain And iron sadness iron pain There's too many irons to regret Too many irons to forget that there's Too many irons in the fire Too many Irons in the. fire.
In the week of its release, There's Too Many Irons in the Fire was awarded "Single of the Week" in Sounds magazine. He went on to praise the band, asserting that "Cardiacs can write, Cardiacs can play, and by God Cardiacs can perform.
