The
colorful idiom to strike while the iron is hot
means to act decisively and quickly because you have an advantage of some kind.
The origin of the phrase is in the art of blacksmithing or working with metal
to make tools and implements, in which the metal has to be shaped wile it is
hot and flexible.
Example #1:
I hope you were able to get some funding from the bank—we have to strike while the iron is hot on this investment
opportunity.
Example #2:
My father always said that if you don't strike while
the iron is hot, you can't blame anyone but yourself when you aren't successful.
Example #3:
The general said, “We have to strike while the iron is
hot—send 10 battalions to the border immediately and get ready to attack”.
Example #4:
They struck while the iron was hot, but it
didn't help—the enemy army had retreated from the region and there was no
battle to fight.