fire away
(redirected from fires away)fire away
1. To begin talking or asking questions. OK, fire away—what do you want to know about my date last night?
2. To begin to shoot a weapon. The robber fired away first and then ran from the cops.
3. To deplete a supply of something by discharging it from a weapon. Don't fire away all your bullets now—more enemy troops are advancing!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
fire away (at someone)
Fig. to ask many questions of someone; to criticize someone severely. When it came time for questions, the reporters began firing away at the mayor. Members of the opposite party are always firing away at the president.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
fire away
Start to talk or ask questions. For example, You've got more questions? Well, fire away. This expression originated in the 1600s as a military command to discharge firearms and was being transferred to other actions by the late 1700s. Also see fire off.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fire away
v.
1. To start to ask questions or talk. Often used as a command: I know you have questions, so fire away. As soon as the candidate finished his speech, the pundits fired away with their commentaries.
2. To begin to shoot with a weapon: The troops landed on the beach and started firing away. I fired away at the burglar as he ran from the house.
3. To use up something by shooting it from a weapon: The recruits fired away all of the ammunition during practice. We fired the last bullets away at the range.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
fire away
in. to start asking questions; to start talking; to start doing something. The cops fired away at him for an hour.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
fire away
Go ahead; say what you must say; ask what you will. This expression, referring to a gun loaded to the muzzle, dates from the early days of firearms and was transferred to other proceedings by the eighteenth century, as in “Mr. Burney fired away in a voluntary [on the organ]” (Frederick Marryat, Poor Jack, 1775).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer