# turn up the heat

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/turn-up-the-heat
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To increase the intensity of activity or discomfort.

## Examples

- The team needs to turn up the heat to win this game.
- After the rival company launched a cheaper product, our manager decided to turn up the heat on our marketing department.
- As the investigation progressed, the detectives began to turn up the heat on the primary suspect, hoping to force a confession before the trial began.

---

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.