drink from a firehose: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘drink from a firehose’ mean?
The idiom drink from a firehose means to receive or process a large amount of information or data in a short period of time, which can be overwhelming or difficult to handle.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom meaning to consume a large quantity of alcohol, usually resulting in getting drunk or excessively intoxicated.
The idiom "fire hose" is used to describe a situation or experience that is overwhelming, intense, or difficult to handle, often due to a large amount of information or tasks coming at once.
In idiomatic use, "draw fire" means to attract criticism or negative attention. This metaphorical phrase originates from the idea of drawing enemy fire in a military context where soldiers put themselves in danger to distract attention from their comrades.
The idiom "down the drain" means that something has been wasted or lost, often due to a mistake or failure.
The idiom "crash course" refers to an intensive and brief period of learning or instruction in a particular subject.
The idiom "come thick and fast" means that something is happening or being presented rapidly and in large numbers.
The idiom "come in from the cold" means to leave a situation of isolation, exclusion or vulnerability and be accepted or welcomed into a more favorable or secure position.
The idiom "come hell or high water" means that someone is determined to do something despite any difficulties or obstacles that may arise.
The idiom "circle the drain" means to be in a rapid decline or nearing the end. It suggests a situation or person approaching a point of no return or impending failure.
Wild Torrent
The idiom "drink from a firehose" is widely used in American English to describe situations where a person is overwhelmed with a large amount of information, data, or tasks that are difficult to manage or process. It is often used metaphorically, likening the challenge to trying to drink water from a firehose, which is nearly impossible due to the high water pressure.
This vivid mental image perfectly encapsulates the feeling of being inundated with something too powerful to handle. It can be applied in various contexts, particularly those related to information overload or excessive workloads. For example, someone may feel like they are "drinking from a firehose" when they have to process a copious amount of data in a short time or when they are given an overwhelming number of tasks to complete.
Another related idiom is "fire hose," which shares a similar connotation of being overwhelmed. Just like trying to drink from a firehose, being hit with a fire hose of information or tasks is a daunting and challenging experience. It denotes a situation where a person is bombarded with an intense and fast-paced flow of information or responsibilities.
Tying one on" is yet another idiom related to "drink from a firehose." It refers to consuming alcohol excessively and can be used to describe a situation where someone is overwhelmed by an excessive amount of something, in this case, alcohol. Similar to "drink from a firehose," it conveys the idea of being overwhelmed and unable to handle or process the excess.
A related idiom is "catch fire," which is often used to describe situations where something gains rapid and widespread popularity or success. In the context of "drink from a firehose," it can be applied to situations where information or tasks come thick and fast, meaning they are presented at a rapid pace and in large quantities.
Yet another related idiom is "come thick and fast." This phrase perfectly captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by information or tasks that are coming at you in quick succession and in great volume. It emphasizes the speed and intensity of the influx, making it difficult to keep up and process everything.
Lastly, the idiom "at a draught" is also related to "drink from a firehose." It describes situations where something is consumed quickly and in one go. In the context of "drink from a firehose," it implies that the person is receiving a large amount of new information or knowledge in a short period of time, making it challenging to absorb and process everything at once.
"drink from a firehose" is an idiomatic expression that is widely used in American English to convey the feeling of being overwhelmed by an excessive amount of information, tasks, or responsibilities. Its origin from the image of trying to drink water from a firehose provides a powerful visual representation of the challenge and impossibility of managing a flood of information or tasks. The related idioms, such as "fire hose," "tie one on," "catch fire," "come thick and fast," and "at a draught," further enhance the understanding of the idiom and its various contexts. Whether it's being inundated with information, bombarded with tasks, or faced with a rapid learning experience, these idioms help to capture the essence of being overwhelmed and unable to keep up.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom drink from a firehose can be used in a sentence are:
- When I started my new job, I was overwhelmed with information. It felt like I was trying to drink from a firehose.
- The professor went through the material so quickly during the lecture that it was like trying to drink from a firehose. It was impossible to absorb all the information.
- During the conference, the speaker presented a massive amount of data in a short time. It was like drinking from a firehose, trying to process everything at once.
More "Metaphorical" idioms
