ENGLISH
REFERENCE

scalding hot

idiom
Meaning

Extremely hot.

Origin

disputed origin

From Middle English scladeng hoot; equivalent to scalding + hot.

Examples
SIMPLE

Be careful, the coffee is scalding hot.

CONTEXTUAL

She pulled her hand away quickly because the water in the shower was scalding hot.

COMPLEX

The chef warned the kitchen staff that the soup was scalding hot before they carried the bowls to the dining room.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    baking hot

    Very hot.

  2. 02

    blow hot air

    To engage in empty or exaggerated talk that lacks substance, credibility, or truth; to bluster.

  3. 03

    blow hot and cold

    To behave inconsistently; to vacillate or to waver, as between extremes of opinion or emotion.

  4. 04

    boiling hot

    Extremely hot (having a high temperature: of an object, the weather, a living creature).

  5. 05

    come in hot

    To enter the scene of conflict quickly and aggressively.

  6. 06

    full of hot air

    Talking a lot, especially without saying anything of value or meaning.

  7. 07

    hissing hot

    Very hot.

  8. 08

    hot air

    Empty, confused, or exaggerated talk lacking meaning or substance; bluster.

Last updated April 17, 2026