Meaning of 'make hay'

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
#1

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #21 [color=blue]“Expressions with make”, question 9

If I were you, I would stop worrying about it and simply make hay while you can.

(a) have humour
(b) have fun
© have comic
(d) have sense

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #21 [color=blue]“Expressions with make”, answer 9

If I were you, I would stop worrying about it and simply have fun while you can.

Correct answer: (b) have fun
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

Hi,

I thought ‘make hay’ had a sense of ‘lose no chance’. Since b) would be the only choice here but I’d like to know why it could mean ‘have fun’ or it DOES have this meaning too?

haiaho

#2

Hi Haihao

I agree with you. As I know the expression, make hay does not really mean have fun.

When you make hay, you take advantage of an opportunity or make use of a situation in order to turn it to your advantage.

Amy

#3

Hi,

Make hay while the sun shines clearly means in general make progress while you have the opportunity. In the test I have slightly twisted the meaning to suggest having fun as at the beginning of the sentence there is a recommendation to stop worrying.

A