• to drink from the fire hose - v., to attempt to learn too much information in a short period of time.

Instead of taking a dainty sip from a water fountain, step up to the fire hose and drink directly from it (without spilling a drop). It’s an impossible task — you’re going to end up soaking wet and looking like a fool. That’s the inspiration for the meaning of the corporate jargon “to drink from the fire hose.” It means that you’re taking on too much, and you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Usage example: “Hi Bill, I saw the slides you are planning to present at the all-hands. Looks like you’re planning to show 75 slides in a 45 minute presentation. That’s too much — you’re asking all of us to drink from the fire hose. Why don’t you scale back your presentation to about 10 slides, and limit yourself to the elevator pitch.”