put out fires

put out fires

To deal with emergencies or urgent matters rather than ordinary day-to-day tasks. I spent so much time today putting out fires with our suppliers that I didn't even have a chance to read my emails.
See also: fire, out, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • fight fires
  • just another day at the office
  • hands-on
  • day to day
  • day-to-day
  • face the day
  • everything tastes of porridge
  • from day to day
  • make a day of (doing something)
  • make a day of doing
References in periodicals archive
Today's rain will be welcomed by firefighters across the region who have been working relentlessly to put out fires of this nature over the last few weeks.
Fire crews tackle blaze at Coventy nature reserve; It's the latest in a spate of grass fires over the last few weeks
The crews did not put out fires that were supervised by an adult and posed no threat to property.
CITY OF LIGHT!