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  • Make hay while the sun shines
    Make hay while the sun shines
    Take advantage of favorable circumstances; they may not last.
  • make hay while the sun shines
    make hay while the sun shines
    Take advantage of favorable circumstances, as in Car sales have finally improved so we're making hay while the sun shines. This expression alludes to optimum dry weather for cutting grass. [Early 1500s]

Make hay while the sun shines

Cultural  
  1. Take advantage of favorable circumstances; they may not last.


make hay while the sun shines Idioms  
  1. Take advantage of favorable circumstances, as in Car sales have finally improved so we're making hay while the sun shines. This expression alludes to optimum dry weather for cutting grass. [Early 1500s]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Make hay while the sun shines," he replies.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2012

"Make hay while the sun shines, eh?" said he, with a chuckle.

From True To His Colors by Castlemon, Harry

Make hay while the sun shines; use your eyes if you can't use your tongue.

From The Potiphar Papers by Curtis, George William

"Strike while the iron is hot," and "Make hay while the sun shines," are golden maxims.

From Pushing to the Front by Marden, Orison Swett

Make hay while the sun shines, my dear," she said; "you may never have such another opportunity.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine No. XVI.?September, 1851?Vol. III. by Various