A lot of English idioms refer to heat, but not all ‘hot idioms‘ are actually about temperature.
Heat idioms like ‘hot potato’ and ‘in hot water’ can’t be taken literally. If you want to understand them, you must learn the meaning of each one individually.
So, here is a list of idioms about heat, with meanings and example sentences for each one. But before that, let’s look at some of the most common meanings of ‘hot’ in English.
Different meanings of ‘hot’ in English
Before we get onto some hot idioms, it’s important to understand some common meanings of the word ‘hot’ in English.
This is because some phrases using ‘hot’ might look like idioms, but they are in fact just regular uses of the word ‘hot’ in its different definitions.
The most common meaning of the word ‘hot’ is to refer to high temperature – the opposite of ‘cold’. But here are some other meanings you might not know:
- Spicy; causing a burning sensation in the mouth: a hot curry, hot sauce
- Intense in emotion: a hot temper
- Arousing interest, excitement or controversy: a hot topic, a hot discussion
- Wanted by the police: a hot suspect
- Currently successful or popular: hot new talent, hot fashion
- The most favored: a hot tip, a hot favorite
- Following closely: in hot pursuit
- Sexually attractive (slang): a hot date, a hot guy, hot stuff
We could go on… in fact there are more than 20 ways to use the word ‘hot’ – and that’s before we even start looking at heat idioms or describing the weather. Many idioms about summer also refer to the fact that it is the hottest season of the year.
The point is, if you see the word ‘hot’ used to describe something and you’re unsure of the correct meaning, it may be an idiom or it may just be one of the many definitions of ‘hot’.
Heat and hot idioms
In hot water
In hot water means in trouble as the result of doing something wrong.
“I can’t stay out any longer or I’ll be in hot water with my Mum.”
“The angry email that Yolanda sent to her boss has landed her in hot water.”
This is a well-known water idiom, but there are many more for you to discover.
In the hot seat
To be in the hot seat is to be in a position where you face scrutiny or judgment and have to answer difficult questions. It can also mean that you are in a position of making hard but important decisions.
“Our CEO is in the hot seat after that news story about poor working conditions.”
“After Clive resigned as chairman of the cricket club, Alan stepped up to the hot seat.”
A variant of this heat idiom used in American English is on the hot seat.
Hot to trot
Be careful how you use the idiom hot to trot. On the one hand, it can mean impatient and eager to do something. But it may also be used as a slang term meaning sexually aroused or arousing.
“We have a day out at the zoo planned tomorrow and the kids are hot to trot.”
“That girl in the blue dress looks hot to trot.”
If you think your meaning may be misinterpreted, it’s best to avoid using this one!
Hot shot
The idiom hot shot may be used as a noun or an adjective. It describes someone who is very confident and successful.
“I hear that Darius has become a hot shot in the world of medicine.”
“Sounds like you’ll need to hire a hot-shot lawyer if you want to get any compensation for the accident.”
This success idiom is often used as a derogatory term for someone who is too self-confident and who shows off their success.
Hot potato
A hot potato is a controversial or sensitive issue which nobody wants to deal with. It keeps getting passed from one person to another (like a potato which is too hot to hold).
“Tax rises have been a hot potato for years, but the new governor isn’t afraid to address the matter.”
You can discover some more food idioms in our separate guide.
Hot and bothered
Hot and bothered relates to a flustered or anxious state. It could be caused by heat, by stress, or by some other aggravating factor.
“There’s no need to get so hot and bothered just deciding what to wear tonight!”
Note that we often use this hot idiom when we think that the person is overreacting.
In the heat of the moment
If you do something in the heat of the moment, you do it based on impulse and emotion rather than thinking about it rationally and considering the consequences.
“The couple were arguing, and in the heat of the moment they both said things they didn’t really mean.”
Hot under the collar
Someone who gets hot under the collar is someone who becomes angry easily, or who gets irritated about things which aren’t really important.
“Why do you always get so hot under the collar when we’re out shopping?”
“My new co-worker seems quite hot under the collar. I’d better be careful how I speak to him.”
Find more idioms about anger in our separate post.
Hot off the press
We say that news is hot of the press when it is very new and fresh. It could be a news story or some gossip that’s being passed around.
“I have some news about Lilly’s new boyfriend, hot off the press!”
“Hot off the press, we have an update about the new royal baby.”
This idiom originally referred to physical printing presses, which slightly heat paper as they print on it. But nowadays, it can refer to any kind of publishing, including online news.
Hot on the trail
To be hot on the trail of something or someone is to be close to finding it or them.
“The dog sped off, hot on the trail of the squirrel.”
“The police are hot on the trail of the thief.”
Dead heat
A dead heat is a competition in which the opponents or teams are so closely matched that there is no definitive winner.
“After much anticipation, the match ended in a dead heat.”
Another word for this hot idiom is a tie.
Like a cat on a hot tin roof
We say that someone is like a cat on a hot tin roof when they are restless, anxious, and unable to relax or sit still.
“Jessie was like a cat on a hot tin roof waiting for her date to pick her up.”
An alternative term is like a cat on hot bricks. Would you like some more idioms with cats?
More (of something) than you’ve had hot dinners
If someone says “I’ve had more … than you’ve had hot dinners“, it simply means they have had a lot of that thing.
“I’ve had more cars than you’ve had hot dinners!”
You can switch around the people referred to in each part of this expression:
“Kelly has has more girlfriends than I’ve had hot dinners lately!”
Strike while the iron is hot
To strike while the iron is hot means to take advantage of an opportunity immediately, while you have the chance.
“This deal seems too good to be true. I think we should strike while the iron’s hot.”
This hot idiom originates in blacksmithing. The metal iron is only malleable when it is hot, so a blacksmith must work on it as soon as it comes out of the fire. We have many more fire-related idioms in English, too!
Sell like hot cakes
When something sells like hot cakes it sells very quickly.
“These new handbags are selling like hot cakes. You’d better get one before they’re gone.”
Discover more money idioms about buying and selling.
Turn up the heat
To turn up the heat (on someone or something) means to put increased pressure on them or it.
“The detective had to turn up the heat when the suspect wouldn’t talk.”
“We’re going to have to turn up the heat on our sales team this quarter.”
Take the heat off someone
Conversely, to take the heat off (someone or something) means to relieve the pressure placed on them or it.
“The government is about to announce emergency measures to take the heat off the economy.”
Can’t take the heat
If you can’t take the heat, you are unable to handle the pressure put on your in a particular situation.
“Michael’s failure to reach the semi-finals proved that he can’t take the heat of a tournament.”
The opposite could be described as keeping your cool. Find this and other cool idioms in our separate article.
That’s all for our list of hot idioms. Did you find them useful? If you can think of any others, you’re welcome to share them below.
