If you have a lot of irons in the fire, you have several different plans or opportunities, so that there is likely to be something which succeeds even if others fail. I've got a lot of irons in the fire now and there's no reason to think that something isn't going to work out. Note: This expression is very variable. For instance, words such as a few, other, or several can be used instead of a lot of. We have a few irons in the fire and I'm optimistic two or three new faces will be here for pre-season training. Note: This expression may refer to flat irons, which were used in the past to iron clothes and had to be heated over a fire. Alternatively, it may refer to a blacksmith heating several pieces of iron in the fire at once.