Question

Choose the correct meaning of the given phrase.
"To have too many irons in the fire"

a) To have an encounter
b) To have too much work
c) To have support
d) To have a chance
e) To be willing

Answer 1

Hint:The given phrase is an idiom. An idiom does not give a literal meaning, but a confusing and figurative meaning.

Complete answer:
Idioms are phrases that express a figurative and non-literal meaning to a context.
Example: “Let the cat go out of the box” means to make something public.
Here, in a literal sense, the given phrase hints an idea of being crowded or having too many things at once.
Using ‘to have too many irons in the fire’ indicates a tight, terrible situation one has to undergo due to the high loads of work. Among the given options, option b, therefore, gives the right meaning of the idiom.
Option a is wrong as we use ‘knockdown with a feather’ to describe an encounter.
We use ‘to have one’s back’ to describe option c and hence, it is also proved wrong.
Similarly, option d is wrong as we use the idioms like a fighting chance there.
Option e is also incorrect as ‘give a nod’ is often the idiom that means ‘to be willing’.

Note: Although idioms are non-literal, students should note that not all the idioms act so; as some give a hint of its meaning through its usage. Example – better late than never.