Fire-drill definition
An exercise in the use of firefighting equipment or the evacuation of a building in case of a fire.
noun
(idiomatic) Any chaotic, unexpected activity. (With the dropping of Chinese the phrase has also often lost its pejorative meaning of pointless and unproductive. In this way, fire drill is often used in the same idiomatic way putting out fires or fire fighting is used.)
Sorry I didn't get back to you earlier, I've been involved in a fire drill all afternoon.
noun
A drill in which buildings are vacated, fire stations manned, etc. in a quick, orderly way to teach proper procedures in case of fire.
noun
An organised practice to prepare occupants of an office, school or other public building for evacuation in the event of a fire.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
fire-drill
Plural:
fire-drills