Drink from a firehose Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To receive or try to process too much information, instruction, or input at once, making it hard to keep up.
Usage & Nuances
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.
Example Sentences
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