irons in the fire
Concurrent undertakings pursued
Projects or activities underway at the same time, from the blacksmith's practice of heating multiple pieces of iron simultaneously: She has several irons in the fire—a consulting gig, a book proposal, and a podcast.
Having too many irons in the fire suggests overcommitment; having irons in the fire at all suggests productive busyness.
- juggleToss objects cyclically
- projectsOrganized efforts toward goals
- commitmentsPromises requiring follow-through
- venturesRisky new enterprises
- tasksUnits of work
schemes · hedging · contingencies · initiatives · endeavors · pursuits · blacksmithing · diversification · undertakings · obligations · engagements · activities · workloads · intentions · plans · priorities · schedules · keeping options open
irons in the fireidle
Without activity or purpose
inactivity · idleness · twiddling one's thumbs · idle hands · leisure
irons in the fireundiversified
Concentrated in one area
betting the farm · tunnel vision · dead end · going all in · burned bridges
iron, fire, irons, fires, ironed, ironing, ironwork, ironworker, fired