Etymology Journal ยท M
Make hay while the sun shines
Meaning
- Take advantage of a good opportunity while it lasts. It is a gentle push to stop procrastinating and get work done.
Motivational, industrious
Used in a sentence
- The manager is in a good mood, so make hay while the sun shines and ask for that raise.
- We have clear weather today, let us make hay while the sun shines and fix the roof.
- I suggest you make hay while the sun shines and study for the test now.
The backstory
This is a literal agricultural instruction. Hay must be dried in the sun before being baled, so you have to do it during clear weather.
Heard in
Midwest
Vibe check