hot potato
An unwanted problem that is awkward or delicate.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“This issue is a hot potato that no one wants to touch.”
“The funding cuts became a political hot potato, with both parties trying to shift blame.”
“The controversial policy, once championed by the minister, had become a hot potato that her successors hastily abandoned.”
- 01
baking hot
Very hot.
- 02
blow hot air
To engage in empty or exaggerated talk that lacks substance, credibility, or truth; to bluster.
- 03
blow hot and cold
To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.
- 04
boiling hot
Extremely hot (having a high temperature: of an object, the weather, a living creature).
- 05
come in hot
To enter the scene of conflict quickly and aggressively.
- 06
couch potato
A person who spends a lot of time sitting or lying down, often watching television, eating snacks or drinking alcohol.
- 07
full of hot air
Talking a lot, especially without saying anything of value or meaning.
- 08
hissing hot
Very hot.
Last updated August 10, 2026