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put out a/the fire

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put out a/the fire

1. Literally, to extinguish a fire. The firemen were able to put out the fire before too much damage was done to our house.

2. To deal with an emergency or urgent matter rather than ordinary day-to-day tasks. I spent so much time today putting out a fire with our supplier that I didn't even have a chance to read my emails.

See also: fire, out, put