# hot water

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/hot-water
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A dangerous situation; trouble.

## Examples

- He is in hot water for breaking the window.
- You will be in hot water if your boss finds out you missed the deadline.
- By ignoring the safety regulations for so long, the manager found himself in hot water when the inspectors arrived unexpectedly.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.