English idiom

put out fires

Register · Informal CEFR B1

Post

Figurative meaning

to deal with urgent problems instead of doing planned work

Why this phrase?

Fires must be put out now; everything else waits.

Example

“I spent the whole week putting out fires instead of building.”

Dictionary details

Alternate forms

firefighting

Component words

fire

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

fight fire with fire

to counter an opponent using the same methods they use

no smoke without fire

rumors or accusations usually contain at least some truth

play with fire

to take a serious risk that is likely to bring harmful consequences

call it a day

To decide to stop working on something for now.

do the job

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

dry run

a full practice session of a process, done for real except in name

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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