To 'put out fires' means to deal with urgent problems or crises as they arise, often at the expense of more long-term planning.
When do you use "Put out fires"?
This phrase is appropriate in situations where someone is responding to immediate challenges or crises, especially in a work environment. It can apply to both personal and professional contexts, such as managing team issues, customer complaints, or unexpected events.
"Put out fires" Usage Examples
After the sudden departure of our project manager, I spent the whole week putting out fires to keep the team on track.
We can't keep putting out fires every time a problem arises; we need a better long-term strategy.
As a customer service representative, my job often involves putting out fires whenever there are complaints.
The manager was overwhelmed with putting out fires instead of focusing on the new product launch.
While I appreciate your willingness to put out fires, I think we need to address the root cause of these issues.
"Put out fires" Explained
The phrase likely originates from the literal act of extinguishing fires, which requires immediate attention and action. In a broader sense, it has come to describe handling unexpected issues in various contexts, particularly in business and management, where one must respond to emergencies or pressing matters rather than focusing on proactive strategies.