What does "fires" mean?

1. (to shoot a weapon) to shoot a gun or other weapon. 2. (to dismiss from a job) to tell someone they can no longer work at a company. 3. (to inspire) to make someone feel very excited or interested in something.

fires

US //ˈfaɪɝz// UK //fˈaɪəz// fires

1 to shoot a weapon (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to shoot a gun or other weapon.

to discharge a firearm or other projectile weapon; third-person singular present form.

Example

The soldier fires his rifle at the target during practice.

Example

The automated system fires a warning shot if an unidentified vessel enters the restricted zone without authorization.
- shoots
- discharges
2 to dismiss from a job (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to tell someone they can no longer work at a company.

to terminate an individual's employment, typically due to poor performance or misconduct.

Example

The manager fires anyone who is caught stealing from the shop.

Example

The board of directors rarely fires a CEO without significant evidence of financial mismanagement or a breach of contract.
- hires
- employs

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3 to inspire (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary

to make someone feel very excited or interested in something.

to stimulate or inspire someone's imagination or enthusiasm.

Example

The teacher's passion for history really fires the students' imagination.

Example

The prospect of discovering a new species fires the researcher's ambition, driving her to work long hours in the field.
- bores
- discourages

Idioms2 entries