趁热打铁
chèn rè dǎ tiě
to strike while the iron is hot
Character by character
趁chèn
while
while
热rè
hot
hot
打dǎ
strike
strike
铁tiě
iron
iron
Example
客户对方案很满意，我们得趁热打铁，尽快把合同签下来。
The client is happy with the proposal, so we must strike while the iron is hot and get the contract signed as soon as we can.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
The same picture as the English: shape the iron while it is still red-hot. Used for following up a success, a good mood or a fresh memory without delay: 趁热打铁，乘胜追击. Spoken and written alike.
Learn this in Lesson 137 · HSK 7–9: 淄博烧烤 (The Zibo barbecue craze)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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