hot water

/'hɔt'wɔ:tə/

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Explanation of "Hot Water"

Basic Definition:
The phrase "hot water" can mean two things: 1. Literally, it refers to water that is heated and uncomfortable to touch. 2. Figuratively, it means being in a difficult or troublesome situation.

Usage Instructions

When using "hot water" in the figurative sense, it is usually used to describe a situation where someone is in trouble or facing problems, often because of something they said or did.

Advanced Usage

In more advanced contexts, "hot water" can refer to situations involving legal or social trouble. It's often used in discussions about consequences of actions.

Word Variants

• Hot (adjective): Describes a high temperature or something that is currently popular or trendy.
• Water (noun): A clear liquid that is essential for life, used for drinking, washing, etc.

Different Meanings

1. Literal Meaning: Water that is heated, such as in cooking or bathing.
2. Figurative Meaning: A state of trouble or difficulty.

Synonyms

• For the figurative meaning:
  • Trouble
  • Difficulty
  • Predicament
  • Quandary
  • Jam

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• In hot water: This idiom means to be in trouble or in a difficult situation.

  • Example: "If you don’t finish your project on time, you’ll be in hot water with your teacher."

• Get into hot water: This phrasal verb means to find oneself in trouble.

  • Example: "She got into hot water for arriving late to the important meeting."

Summary

"Hot water" is a versatile phrase in English. It can refer to heated water in a literal sense, or more commonly, to being in trouble in a figurative sense.

Academic

Noun

1. a dangerous or distressing predicament
   • his views on race got him into political hot water