English Reference
Idiom idiom

drink from a firehose


To be overwhelmed (with work, information, etc.); to be inundated with an unrestricted or unfiltered amount.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

Starting this new job feels like drinking from a firehose.

CONTEXTUAL

The new intern struggled to keep up with the project, feeling like he was drinking from a firehose during his first week.

COMPLEX

When the massive influx of data arrived, the research team realized they were drinking from a firehose and would need weeks to process it all.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    drink with the flies

    To drink alcohol while alone.

  2. 02

    drinks o'clock

    The time to begin social drinking.

  3. 03

    drive someone to drink

    To cause someone to drink lots of alcohol, as an escape from frustration.

  4. 04

    drive to drink

    Synonym of drive someone crazy.

  5. 05

    hold one's drink

    Synonym of hold one's liquor.

  6. 06

    long drink

    A relatively weak (low alcoholic content per volume) and voluminous mixed drink, typically containing lots of ice and mixer.

  7. 07

    preach water and drink wine

    To act hypocritically; to fail to practice what one preaches.

  8. 08

    straw that stirs the drink

    The person who stimulates or inspires a group; the major factor affecting a trend or set of developments.

Last updated August 10, 2026