"Strike while the iron is hot" is a well-known Russian proverb that is applicable to a variety of life situations. At the same time, it was used by both famous Russian writers and politicians, and modern directors.
"Strike while the iron is hot" is a common saying with a real underlying reason behind the imagery used.
Literal meaning
Forging is a method of processing various types of metal, in the process of which a specialist, called a blacksmith, obtains artistic, industrial, household or other necessary metal products from raw materials. The processing of the metal blank, from which the final product is made, is carried out under the influence of high temperature, due to which the metal becomes ductile and is easily exposed to external influences that change its shape. Thus, the work on forging metal is feasible only during the period of time while it has the so-called forging, that is, sufficiently high, temperature.
Figurative sense
The figurative meaning that the speaker usually puts into his words when using the expression "Strike the iron while it is hot" indirectly uses the original meaning of forging work. It is used in order to stimulate another person to use favorable circumstances while they still have power, that is, to catch a successful situation, to seize the moment. At the same time, it is advisable to use this saying precisely for situations characterized by high variability, that is, those in which favorable circumstances can quickly change to the opposite.
This meaning in Russian can also be conveyed using other words and figurative expressions that have a similar semantic background. For example, it can be replaced with the phrase "Take the bull by the horns", "Catch luck by the tail" and the like. At the same time, the original version of the proverb itself has several variations, which, however, are less common: “Strike the iron while it boils”, “Strike the iron while it is red”.
This proverb has a fairly long history, so it was used by art and literary figures in Russia at different periods of time. Moreover, it can be found in literature, cinema and other genres of art, both in its original and modified form. For example, this proverb is found in the works of the famous Russian writer Alexander Ostrovsky. It was used in personal correspondence by Emperor Peter I. And in modern times it is known in a slightly modified form: the phrase "Strike the iron without leaving the cash register", obviously based on the original source in the form of the saying in question, was used in his famous film "The Diamond Arm" Soviet director Leonid Gaidai.
