Firing
ˈfaɪərɪŋ
Definitions
4 meaningsTo terminate the employment of someone; to dismiss from a job.
ˈfaɪərɪŋ
To dismiss someone from their job.
The company was forced to fire several employees due to budget cuts.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're not doing a good job at school, and your parents decide to take you out of it. Firing is just like that, but for a job. It means you lose your job.
👶 For kids: When someone is fired, it means they are no longer allowed to work at their job.
More Examples
The manager was fired after a series of complaints about his behavior.
She was shocked when they decided to fire her without any warning.
How It's Used
"The company is facing financial difficulties and will be firing several employees."
"The HR department handled the firing of the underperforming manager."
To discharge a weapon; to shoot a projectile from a gun or other firearm.
ˈfaɪərɪŋ
To discharge a weapon.
The sniper was ordered to begin firing at the target.
💡 Simply: Imagine a toy gun. When you press the trigger, it's 'firing' a little bullet or a sound. That's the same idea!
👶 For kids: When someone is firing a gun, they are shooting something out of it, like a bullet.
More Examples
The soldiers engaged in firing practice at the range.
The security guard fired a warning shot to deter the intruder.
How It's Used
"The soldiers were instructed to begin firing on the enemy."
"The coach told the team to start firing at the goal."
To cause something to ignite; to burn or to heat to a very high temperature.
ˈfaɪərɪŋ
To cause something to ignite; to start a fire.
The potter was firing the clay in the kiln.
💡 Simply: When you're baking, you're 'firing' the oven to make the cookies hot enough to cook! It's just using heat to change or make something.
👶 For kids: When you fire something, it means to put heat on it, like firing a stove to cook food.
More Examples
The blacksmith spent hours firing the metal to shape it.
The artist spent many hours firing the clay.
How It's Used
"The kiln is used for firing ceramics."
"The lab technician was firing the crucible."
The act of terminating someone's employment; dismissal.
ˈfaɪərɪŋ
The act of dismissing someone from their job.
The firing was a complete surprise to everyone.
💡 Simply: That moment when you are let go from a job, that is the firing!
👶 For kids: The firing is when someone loses their job.
More Examples
The employee is challenging the fairness of their firing.
The company's reputation suffered after the high-profile firing.
How It's Used
"The firing of the CEO caused a major stir in the financial world."
"The employee is contesting the legality of his firing."
Idioms & expressions
firing on all cylinders
To be operating at maximum efficiency and effectiveness; to be performing extremely well.
"The team is firing on all cylinders now, after a slow start."
From Old English *fȳran* 'to set on fire, burn', from *fȳr* 'fire'. The word developed various meanings, including the act of discharging a weapon, removing someone from a job, and the act of igniting something.
The word 'firing' first appeared in the late 15th century, referring to the action of a gun or weapon. It expanded in use to include the meaning of discharging someone from employment in the 20th century.
Memory tip
Think of a 'fire' as getting rid of something unwanted, like a bad employee.
Word Origin
"to set on fire, burn"