Strike while the iron is hot
Strike while the iron is hot
make immediate use of an opportunity as long as it exists, take advantage of an opportunity, take an action at the right moment, carpe diem, seize the day
The blacksmith has a piece of iron which he wishes to make into some useful article. For this purpose he puts it in a bed of burning coals, which we kept alive and glowing by a huge pair of bellows. The iron, after awhile, becomes so hot that it is as soft as lead, and is easily hammered into any shape that is desired. The blacksmith now draws it from the fire with his tongs, places it on his anvil, and while it remains hot, strikes with his hammer upon it as fast as he can, as it grows cooler and. harder every moment it is out of the fire. Whatever is done, must be done while the iron is hot, otherwise all his hammering will prove of no avail.
In public affairs, we see the lesson conveyed by the proverb. In public meetings, where some object of great utility is proposed, the orators on the occasion often have a powerful influence on the minds of the audience, their feelings are deeply engaged, “they are warm on the subject.” Now is the time to send round a subscription paper, or contribution box. Now is the time to strike while the iron is hot. If it is delayed to next week, or some other time, the public mind becomes cooled, or is taken up with some other object.
Source: http://proverbhunter.com/
Antonyms: miss the boat, miss out, miss an opportunity, lose out
Farsi: تا تنور داغ است نان را چسباندن، از فرصت استفاده کردن، وقت را غنیمت شمردن