Chances are you don't do much blacksmithing, but there are very good odds you still talk like you do. Of the thousands and thousands of common idioms in the English language, a large portion are derived from the terms used in various trades, and more than a few were things a blacksmith would say.

The Essential Craftsman, something of a blacksmith himself, has taken the time out to not just highlight some of these idioms, but also to illustrate their literal meanings. Some, like striking while the iron is hot, are relatively straightforward if you know the very first thing about how blacksmithing tends to work. Others, like having too many irons in the fire, are definitely clearer after you see the literal example:

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Surely there are more where those came from, here's to hoping we can forge on with the explanations.

Source: Essential Craftsman