fires away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fires away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to indicate that someone is asking a question or making a statement without hesitation. Example: "Feel free to ask anything; I'm here to help, so just fires away!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Bryant, at least, fires away with the self-assurance of a man with five championship rings.

The New York Times - Sports

While Mitt Romney is running a Greta Garbo campaign, shying away from interviews, Newt wades right in and fires away.

The New Yorker

It's thought that this response is due to a single auditory receptor neuron, which fires away when a bat call is heard.

The New York Times - Science

In this situation and others in Palestine and Indonesia, Mr. Nachtwey fires away into people's anguished faces and always with their compliance.

The New York Times

But toward the end she's shown dancing with cupcakes on her breasts, quickly followed by a scene in which she attaches a pair of whipped cream dispensers to her bra and fires away, leveling an army of Gummi Bear rapscallions.

The New York Times - Arts

Updated at 3.16pm GMT 12.54pm GMT USA 2-0 Slovenia, 7 13, 1st period Rok Ticar has a shot that's deflected, but Slovenia continue to hold the puck - Marcel Rodman fires away from near the point, high and wide!

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Fire! Blast away with each of the weapons.

WikiHow

Fire away.

The New York Times - Sports

He fired away.

The New York Times - Sports

Fire away in the comments.

The New York Times

Other than that, fire away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fires away" to convey a sense of immediacy or readiness to proceed, whether it's with questions, shots, or actions. This idiom works well in both literal and figurative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "fires away" only in the context of literal shooting. It also applies to rapidly asking questions or starting an activity without delay.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fires away" is as a verb phrase, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of the phrasal verb "fire away." Ludwig AI shows it describes the action of shooting or, metaphorically, starting something energetically.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fires away" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of shooting or, more figuratively, the act of proceeding without hesitation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and utility. While it is commonly found in news and sports contexts, it leans towards a neutral to informal register. If a more formal tone is needed, alternative phrases like "commences" or "initiates" might be more suitable. It's important to consider both the literal and figurative meanings of "fires away" to ensure appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opens fire

Focuses specifically on the act of initiating shooting, lacking the broader applications of "fires away".

starts shooting

Specifically addresses the act of beginning to shoot, lacking the metaphorical usages of "fires away".

lets fly

Indicates a quick release or dispatch, similar to shooting but can also apply to letting out a comment or emotion.

lets loose

Indicates a release or discharge of something, which can include questions or shots, but is more general than "fires away".

commences questioning

Relates specifically to beginning an inquiry, highlighting the asking of questions implied by "fires away".

proceeds without hesitation

Emphasizes the lack of pause or doubt, which is an aspect of "fires away" when used metaphorically.

unleashes a barrage

Implies a continuous and heavy stream of attacks or questions, more intense than a single instance of "fires away".

begins the attack

Focuses on the start of an aggressive action, broader and more confrontational than a simple "fires away".

launches an offensive

Suggests a strategic and planned attack, whether physical or verbal, carrying a stronger connotation of aggression.

blasts off

Highlights the start or beginning of something energetic, differing from the sustained action possibly indicated by "fires away".

FAQs

How is "fires away" used in a sentence?

It's used to indicate shooting in a literal sense, like "The soldier fires away at the enemy", or metaphorically, to mean starting something energetically, as in "If you have any questions, "fire away"!".

What are some alternative ways to say "fires away"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "opens fire" for literal shooting, or "go ahead", "proceed", or "start" when referring to beginning an activity.

Is it appropriate to use "fires away" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "fires away" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, opt for more neutral alternatives like "commences", "initiates", or "begins" depending on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "fires away" and "opens fire"?

"Fires away" implies a sustained or repeated action of shooting or questioning, while "opens fire" typically refers to the initial act of starting to shoot.