have too many irons in the fire

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

To be involved in too many activities at once.

Why this phrase?

A blacksmith heating more irons than he can shape before they cool.

Example

“He missed the deadline because he had too many irons in the fire.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

have your hands full Neutral · CEFR B1

To be very busy or fully occupied with responsibilities.

kill two birds with one stone Neutral · CEFR B1

To accomplish two tasks with a single effort or action.

have several balls in the air Informal · CEFR B2

to be managing multiple projects or commitments at once

spread yourself too thin Neutral · CEFR C1

to try to do so many things that you do none of them well

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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