make-hay-while-the-sun-shines
/meɪk heɪ waɪl ðə sʌn ʃaɪnz/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
Act quickly while conditions are good. It means you should use a chance before it disappears.
- We should make hay while the sun shines.
- She applied for the job, making hay while the sun shone.
- This is the best time to invest, so make hay while the sun shines.
Adinary Nuance
This idiom is close to "seize the opportunity" and "strike while the iron is hot," but it sounds more like practical advice. It often suggests a short window of good conditions, not just any chance. Writers use it in everyday speech, business, and advice-giving.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Tranh thủ lúc thuận lợi
- Spanish
- Aprovechar la ocasión
- Chinese
- 趁热打铁
- Japanese
- 好機を逃さない
- Korean
- 기회가 좋을 때 서두르다
Etymology
This proverb comes from old farming life in English. Hay had to be cut and dried when the weather was dry and sunny.
Common phrases
make hay while the sun shinesa time to make haymake the most of it
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is "make hay while the sun shines" formal or informal?
- It is common in speech and writing. It sounds friendly and practical, not very formal.
- What is the difference between this and "seize the opportunity"?
- "Make hay while the sun shines" suggests acting while conditions are favorable. "Seize the opportunity" is broader and more direct.
- Can I use this in business writing?
- Yes, if the tone is light or advisory. Avoid it in very serious legal or technical writing.