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fire off

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fire something off (to someone)

Fig. to send something to someone immediately, by a very rapid means. Fire a letter off to Fred, ordering him to return home at once. I fired off a letter to Fred as you asked. I finished the e-mail and fired it off.

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fire off something

also fire something off

to write and send something quickly He fired off an e-mail to his publisher.

See also: fire, off

fire off

Say or write and send away rapidly, as in He fired off three more questions, or She fired off a letter of complaint to the president. This expression originally (from about 1700) was, and still is, used in the sense of "discharge a weapon or ammunition," as in The police were instructed to fire off canisters of tear gas. The figurative use dates from the late 1800s.

See also: fire, off

fire off

v.

1. To say or ask something rapidly, especially a question or command: The prosecutor fired questions off to the witness. My parents fired off reasons why my plan wouldn't work.

2. To write and send a communication quickly: I fired off a positive reply to the job offer. My friend fired an angry letter off to the editor.

3. To shoot something from a weapon, especially in quick succession: The police officer fired off warning shots when the suspect approached them. At the parade, the color guard fired three shots off.

See also: fire, off