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Glite Dictionary
while the sun is shining

while the sun is shining

5.3
Use a good chance before it ends
  • idiom
translation icon : aprovechar el momento
  • It's smart to take advantage of a quiet office while the sun is shining and get ahead on your tasks.
  • fix your roof while the sun is shining

Examples

  • You should save money while the sun is shining, because tough times may come later.

  • Let's finish the outdoor work while the sun is shining, before the rain starts.

  • You should invest in stocks while the sun is shining.

  • Let's go on a trip while the sun is shining!

  • "You have to fix the roof while the sun is shining."

  • "We should invest in new technology while the sun is shining, before competition increases."

  • "She advised her friends to save money while the sun is shining, as times might get tough later."

Synonyms

to seize the opportunity
vswhile the sun is shining
10 3.9

Act quickly to use a good chance

is focused on acting during favorable times rather than waiting to prepare
to strike while the iron is hot
vswhile the sun is shining
  • Informal
3 4.7

Do something quickly to use a good chance before it ends

is the general phrase for acting while conditions remain favorable
to make hay while the sun shines
vswhile the sun is shining
  • Informal
1 5.8

Act while a good chance is still there

is the common proverb expressing the same timely opportunistic action
carpe diem
vswhile the sun is shining
  • Literature
1 9.5

To tell someone to enjoy the present and act now

is about taking advantage of favorable conditions rather than a general life philosophy
to take time by the forelock
vswhile the sun is shining
  • Archaic
9.9

Act quickly to grab an opportunity before it is lost

is about making the most of good moments while they still last
to fix the roof while the sun is shining
vswhile the sun is shining
  • Informal
6.5

Take action now while things are good

is about using good conditions to gain advantage now rather than later
to grab life by the throat
vswhile the sun is shining
  • Informal
8.5

To act quickly and boldly to make the most of life

focuses on using good external conditions rather than broadly seizing all life chances

Antonyms

waste
469 1.2

Careless use of money, time, or other resources

to miss out
176 3.6

Lose the chance to enjoy something good

Surface Forms

while the sun is shining main

Morphology

while + the + sun + be + shine

The phrase composes 'while' (during) with 'the sun is shining' (a period of favorable weather), so its temporal/durational meaning is directly derivable from the constituents. By a natural pragmatic extension — common across languages — this yields the sense 'do something while conditions are good', which a B1 learner who knows the words can infer.

Etymology

While the sun is shining creates a simple picture: do the work while the sun is shining and the weather is good. So it means 'take advantage' of a good situation or 'opportunity' before it ends.