Drink from a firehose Meaning in English
expression
Definición
To receive or try to process too much information, instruction, or input at once, making it hard to keep up.
Uso & Matices
This is an informal American idiom, often used in educational or professional settings to describe being overwhelmed by information, especially when someone is new to a topic or job. Common in tech, training, or onboarding contexts. It's almost always used figuratively, not literally.
Oraciones de Ejemplo
On my first day at the new job, it felt like I had to drink from a firehose.
basic
I'm trying to learn everything at once, but I don't want to drink from a firehose.
basic
The teacher went so fast, it was like we had to drink from a firehose during the whole class.
basic
The onboarding process here is like trying to drink from a firehose—so much coming at you all at once.
natural
When you start med school, be prepared to drink from a firehose for the first year.
natural
Honestly, attending those conferences feels like trying to drink from a firehose—there’s just too much to absorb.
natural