So we all know that the English language is full of idioms, but why is this the case? Well, what we do know is that these idioms are not just fun but a significant part of how humans communicate. For instance, have you ever heard the saying, “make hay while the sun shines?” So have we, and we’re about to take a closer look at this proverb and its usage in writing.
To “make hay while the sun shines” simply means to make the best or the most of an opportunity or situation while it lasts. So by making hay while the sun is shining, you are making the best use of options, or positive circumstances, be it in your life, relationship, or career.
“Make Hay While the Sun Shines” – Origins of the phrase
People have used this term or phrase for literally centuries. The saying first showed up in 1954 when John Heywood’s released this piece called “A Dialogue Conteinyng the Nomber in Effect of all the Prouerbes in the Englishe Tongue.” It is speculated that this term arose from middle age or early English farmers.
Back in the day, it would have taken a period of time for farmers to go through the entire process of making hay. This included cutting, drying, and gathering it. Nowadays, making hay is a breeze due to modern or advanced machinery and, of course, weather forecasting.
However, medieval farmers did not have these resources at hand and consequently had to make the most of dry, hot, or sunny outdoor conditions to start and finish this hay-making process. So as you can see, the term “make hay while the sun shines” was more common sense than anything else for them.
Eventually, the term was used more generally and to imply that you should take advantage of the situation while you still can.
So likewise, the proverb does offer logical or sensible advice and guidance as it implies that windows of opportunity may just come through once in a while or every so often.
“Make Hay While the Sun Shines” – Meaning
This phrase actually means that you should evaluate a situation to discern when a chance of success avails as such. If you are able to seize the moment, as they say, and act on the opportunity before it is no longer available, then you would have “made hay while the sun shone.” Since what lies ahead is in the balance, and no one knows what tomorrow holds, it is imperative that you seize the moment and do not allow opportunities to slip away. This proverb also implies that you should use your time wisely.
When and How to Use “Make Hay While the Sun Shines”
This idiom may be used in various instances. For one, you may use it to remind someone of an opportunity that they should be seizing but are not. It is also used to make mention of when a good or favorable circumstance is upon someone. So using this term is a good way of dishing out advice to friends and family or even your kids, once they understand what it means.
When: Use it when you want to remind yourself or someone else that you have been graced with favorable circumstances and should be making the most of it, especially since these options do not come about all the time.
How: Well, you can use this term to motivate you or someone else to seize an opportunity. Feel free to say to yourself, write it down, or have it in front of you daily, whether in the form of a painting, picture, or wall art, etc.
Other Ways to Say “Make Hay While the Sun Shines”
- Strike while the iron’s hot
- To get as much profit or benefit from something as is possible
- To seize a moment or opportunity
- Exploit an opportunity
- Carpe diem
- Capitalize on an opportunity
- Seize the day
- Take hold of an opportunity
- Make the most of an opportunity
- Take time by the forelock
- Cash in on
- Maximize on
- Turn to account
- Put to advantage
- Gain from
- Make capital out of
- Leverage
- Put to good use
- Get mileage out of
- Secure
- Get hold of
- Put into effect
- Jump at
- Grab at
- Avail oneself of
- Reap the benefit of
- Call into play
- Snatch
The Opposite of “Make Hay While the Sun Shines”
- Make a mess
- Back wrong horse
- Miss the bus
- Be defeated
- Be found lacking
- Be off the mark
- Be in vain
- Be frustrated
- Be unsuccessful in
- Blow up in someone’s face
- Collapse
- Come to naught
- Be ruined
- Be wide of
- Come a cropper
- Be wrong about
Idioms with a Homogenous Meaning
There are a few phrases that are similar to “make hay while the sun shines.” One of them is “strike while the iron is hot.” Like the first idiom, it also means that you should act decisively and seize or grab hold of an opportunity as soon as it arises.
Example: My aunty strikes while the iron is hot and, as a result, gets the best deals.
Another phrase with a similar meaning is “Seize the day.” This term is also referred to as carpe diem and is a phrase with Latin roots, meaning to seize the day. It ultimately encourages the individual or group of people to concentrate on the present and avoid putting off things for another day if it can be done today.
Example: I’m probably going to be grounded when I get home, but I’ve decided to enjoy the party and seize the day.
Example Conversations with “Make Hay While the Sun Shines”
Conversation between father and son:
Son: Dad, do you know that content marketing position I applied for? Well, they’ve just short-listed me and want to see some of my samples.
Father: Okay, that’s great; send your samples through to them.
Son: Yeah, I’m going to do it a bit later.
Father: Son, I suggest you do it immediately so you can make hay while the sun shines.
A conversation between two co-workers:
Co-worker 1: Hey Amy, did you hear that Jessica just resigned from her role as a manager?
Co-worker 2: No, It’s news to me, but anyway, weren’t you also interested in applying for a management position?
Co-worker 1: Yes, I was, and I probably will apply now that they need to fill the position.
Co-worker 2: Well, I suggest you make hay while the sun shines, as they’re really going to need a replacement to hold the fort down.
Example Sentences with the Term “Make Hay While the Sun Shines”
- Don’t just have a good time; make hay while the sun shines.
- He’s making hay while the sun shines and who can blame him?
- They made it clear they were making hay while the sun shone.
- We’ve only got a week to the deadline, so we need to make hay while the sun shines.
- It’s always good to make hay while the sun shines.
- Since you have free time, you ought to make hay while the sun shines.
- Denise is a millionaire because she knows how to make hay while the sun shines.
- The holidaymakers won’t be here forever, so we better make hay while the sun shines.
- The digital content industry is booming, so if you’re a content creator, you should make hay while the sun shines.
- Jobs are hard to find, so make hay while the sun shines.
- Make hay while the sun shines because we don’t know what tomorrow holds.
- If a business is booming, it may be stressful to run things on your own, but make hay while the sun shines.
- Life isn’t always so peaceful, so make hay while the sun shines.
- Preparation meets opportunity, so make hay while the sun shines.
- Dreams can be realized if you make hay while the sun shines.
- If you feel you need to make hay while the sun shines, don’t allow anyone to stop you.
- Successful people have one thing in common; it is that they make hay while the sun shines.
- There is a thin line between success and failure, and those who make hay while the sun shines know this.
- I asked Andy how she came to be so successful in her business, and she had this to say, “make hay while the sun shines.”
- Intellectual people know that they should make hay while the sun shines.
- Life isn’t always a bed of roses, so make hay while the sun shines.
Additional English Idioms
Conclusion
“Make hay while the sun shines” is probably one of the wisest and oldest sayings in history that is still used today. The advice dished out in this phrase is priceless when it comes to instilling a sense of urgency in a person because if the sun stops shining, then the ability to make hay is also stunted or delayed. So basically, if you see an opportunity that you can benefit from and don’t grab it with both hands, so to speak, then you would have missed out on profit, gain, or an enriching experience.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.