where's the fire

Idioms  

1. What's the big hurry, as in We've got to finish up.—Why, where's the fire? This phrase, generally addressed to someone in an unseemly rush (such as a speeding motorist pulled over by a police officer), alludes to firemen hurrying to put out a fire. [Slang; 1920s]

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Example Sentences

"But if the monitors find abuses, where's the fire brigade?" asks a Washington- based diplomat.

From Time Magazine Archive

"But where's the fire and smoke?" replied Kit.

From Left on Labrador or, The cruise of the Schooner-yacht 'Curlew.' as Recorded by 'Wash.' by Stephens, C. A. (Charles Asbury)

A big boy on the corner yelled after me: 'Sa-ay, sis, where's the fire?'

From Ten American Girls From History by Sweetser, Kate Dickinson