1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, xxxvii. I was kept in
Irons night and day for a month.
Verb. (old).—To flatter.
1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. Ironing, i.e. Irony e.g. ‘Bill
Noon, you are one of the best in all England, for nollidge and for
larning.’ Noon. ‘Nay, my Coney, now you’re ironing me ... all down
the back’.
Bad iron, subs. phr. (workmen’s).—Failure; misadventure; bad luck.
Shooting-iron. See post.
Thieving-irons. See post.
To polish the king’s iron with one’s eyebrow, verb. phr. (old).—To look
out of grated or prison windows.—Grose (1785).
To have many irons in the fire (or on the anvil), verb. phr.
(colloquial).—To carry out many projects at the same time, especially
schemes for making money.
1593. G. Harvey, Pierces Supererog. in Works ii. 330. It is some
men’s fortune to have their handes full of vnneedefull businesse
attonce: and for miselfe, I should make no great matter of two, or
three such glowing irons in the fire.
1614. Jonson, Bartholomew Fair, i. Aye, quickly, good mistress, I
pray you; for I have both eggs on the spit, and iron in the fire.
1622. Chapman, Widows Tears, ii. 1. And you know, brother, I have
other irons on the anvil.
1640. Howell, Dodona’s Grove, p. 38. Elaiana ... hath divers
nurseries to supplie, many irons perpetually in the fire.
1668. Dryden, An Evening’s Love, iv. 1. I have more irons in the
fire: When I have done with you, I have another assignation.
1760–1. Smollett, Sir L. Greaves, iii. Anthony Darnel had begun to
canvass, and was putting every iron in the fire.
1849. Lytton, Caxtons, pt. VII. ii. He had other irons in the fire
besides the ‘Literary Times’ and the ‘Confederate Authors’
Society’.
Ironbark, adj. (Australian). See Ironclad.
Iron-bound, adj. (old).—1. Laced with metal. Iron-bound hat = A silver
laced hat.—Grose (1785).