have too many irons in the fire

have too many irons in the fire

To have an excessive number of simultaneous activities or potential undertakings or opportunities underway. I have too many irons in the fire at work right now and it's going to be tricky to balance all of them over the next few weeks. Don't give her any more assignments right now—she has too many irons in the fire as it is.See also: fire, have, iron, many

have too many irons in the fire

Fig. to be doing too many things at once. Tom had too many irons in the fire and missed some important deadlines. It's better if you don't have too many irons in the fire.See also: fire, have, iron, many

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. [Mid-1500s] See also: iron, many