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Difference between “Bun is in the oven, the” and “Fat is in the fire, the”

bun is in the oven, the

1. (euph.) is used to allude to pregnancy:

  • They have to get married because the bun is in the oven…. So my question is, am I invited?

2. things have started moving:

  • We have no idea as to a release date as there is a lot of work still to be done, but at least the bun is in the oven.

Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase get your buns over here—(coll.) come here quickly:

  • Just pack your bags and get your buns over here! We’ll make it worth your while.

fat is in the fire, thean irrevocable course of action has been started:

  • The die has been cast and the fat is in the fire. Too late to back out now.

Cf.: pull the fat from the fire—do smth. that solves a serious brooding problem:

  • A change of presidents can pull the fat from the fire in time to save us from a rerun of the 1920s depression.