# fire away

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fire-away
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. start asking questions

phrasal verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

you say this to someone to tell them they can start asking you questions.

For teachers: used as an imperative to signal that one is ready to listen to and answer a series of questions.

- I have a few minutes before my next meeting, so fire away.
- Once the presentation concluded, the CEO turned to the journalists and told them to fire away with their questions regarding the merger.

### 2. to speak rapidly

phrasal verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to start talking or giving information very quickly, one thing after another.

For teachers: to begin speaking or presenting information in a rapid, continuous manner.

- The witness started to fire away with details as soon as the police arrived.
- The researcher began to fire away with technical data, barely giving the audience enough time to process the initial findings.

### 3. to start shooting

phrasal verb · CEFR B2

to begin shooting a gun or weapon at a target.

For teachers: to commence the discharge of firearms, typically in a rapid or continuous sequence.

- The soldiers were ordered to fire away as soon as they saw the signal.
- The battery was commanded to fire away at the advancing fleet until the ammunition reserves were depleted.

## Examples

- If you have any questions, just fire away.
- The manager sat down, looked at the team, and said, 'I know you're curious about the changes, so fire away.'
- Once the presentation concluded, the floor was opened to the journalists, who were encouraged to fire away with their most pressing inquiries.

## Usage notes

- Teaching tip: the metaphor comes from discharging a weapon; it implies a rapid or direct series of questions, making it a great way to introduce 'shooting' metaphors in conversation.

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