fire off

IPA/fˈaɪəɹ ˈɒf/
IPA/fˈaɪɚɹ ˈɔf/

fire off — phrasal verb

  • fire offbase form
  • fires off3rd person singular
  • firing off-ing form
  • fired offpast simple

1. to quickly write and send a message such as an email or letter, usually because

1.phrasal verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to quickly write and send a message such as an email or letter, usually because you feel upset or annoyed

Example

Christopher fired off an angry email to the airline after his flight was cancelled.

fire off + [message] + to + [person], showing the angry trigger

The customer fired off a complaint to the manager the moment the meal arrived cold.

fire off + [message] showing speed and irritation

Common collocations
  • fire off an email
  • fire off a letter
  • fire off a reply
  • fire off a complaint
Synonyms
  • dash off

    also means write quickly, but without the strong sense of anger

  • shoot off

    informal British equivalent for sending a quick message

Grammar Patterns

fire off + [message]

fire off + [message] + to + [person]

Usage Note

Object is almost always a written message that is sent in haste (an email, letter, text, or memo). Frequently paired with a phrase showing irritation, such as 'angry', 'sharp', or 'in a rage'.

Common Mistakes

I fired off the email carefully over two days.
I fired off an angry email in two minutes.
'fire off' means sending fast and impulsively, so it does not fit slow, careful work.

2. to make a gun shoot a bullet or several bullets, often suddenly or one after ano

2.phrasal verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to make a gun shoot a bullet or several bullets, often suddenly or one after another

Example

The hunter fired off two shots at the rabbit but missed both times.

fire off + [shots], rapid discharge

Soldiers fired off a round into the air to warn the approaching crowd.

fire off + a round, warning shot

Common collocations
  • fire off a shot
  • fire off a round
  • fire off a volley
Synonyms
  • let off

    can mean discharge a gun or firework, slightly more casual

  • discharge

    formal; used in official or legal reports of shooting

Grammar Patterns

fire off + [a shot/round]

Usage Note

Object is a shot, round, or bullet (not the gun itself). Distinguish from sense 1: this sense involves an actual weapon, while sense 1 is about sending a written message.

Common Mistakes

The soldier fired off the rifle into the sky.
The soldier fired off a shot into the sky.
you fire off the bullet or round, not the weapon.

Etymology

English

This phrasal verb joins the verb 'fire', meaning to shoot a gun or set something off, with the adverb 'off', which adds the idea of something leaving or being released. The gun meaning came first, and the 'send a message' meaning grew from it: just as a gun sends out a bullet suddenly, a person sends out an angry letter just as quickly.

First known use

1888

1888, in the meaning defined above