What does the idiom a hot potato mean?
a problem, situation, etc. that is difficult to deal with and causes a lot of disagreement: The abortion issue is a political hot potato in the United States. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Difficult things and people.
How do you use hot potato in a sentence?
Example Sentences
- The issue of gun control is a political hot potato in the United States.
- The legality of abortion is a hot potato in many countries around the world.
- I never discuss about anyone’s religion, it can be a hot potato.
- The party members are not speaking on this topic as it is a political hot potato.
What’s another word for hot potato?
What is another word for hot potato?
| cause celebre | talk of the town |
|---|---|
| controversial case | controversial issue |
| controversy | debate |
| fuss | grist for the gossip mill |
| matter of the moment | moot point |
Where did the term hot potato come from?
This phrase originated in Great Britain in the 1800’s, and derives from the literal meaning that baked potatoes are very hot to the touch. Therefore, people are always very cautious when handling them. You would have to try to get rid of it so quickly you did not get burned, or avoid the potato altogether.
What is the meaning of idiom at the drop of a hat?
Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [ Late 1800s]
What is hot potato used for?
What is Hot Potatoes? The Hot Potatoes suite includes six applications, enabling you to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web. Hot Potatoes is freeware, and you may use it for any purpose or project you like.
What does Best of Both Worlds meaning?
Definition of the best of both worlds : all the advantages of two different situations and none of the disadvantages I have the best of both worlds—a wonderful family and a great job.
What does kept a stiff upper lip mean?
Definition of stiff upper lip : a steady and determined attitude or manner in the face of trouble. Other Words from stiff upper lip Example Sentences Learn More About stiff upper lip.
What does it mean to cry over Spilt milk?
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Meaning & History No matter how you say the proverb, “don’t cry over spilled milk” or “it’s no use crying over spilled milk,” the phrase means that there’s no point to being upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Who created hot potato?
Dima Pavlovsky
Hot Potato was developed for over four years by game designer Dima Pavlovsky before development was picked up by Pukka Games.
What does the idiom When Pigs Fly mean?
Definition of when pigs fly —used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.
When do you drop someone like a hot potato?
Fig. to disassociate oneself with someone or something instantly. When we learned of the conviction, we dropped him like a hot potato. I dropped the idea like a hot potato when the big boss said he didn’t like it. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Where did the phrase ” drop like a hot potato ” come from?
The term originated as a colloquialism in the early nineteenth century. It probably was a cliché by the time W. Somerset Maugham wrote, “She dropped him, but not like a hot brick or a hot potato,” meaning that she let him down gently ( Cakes and Ale, 1930).
What does it mean to drop SB / STH like a hot potato?
drop sb/sth like a hot potato. informal. › to quickly stop being involved with someone or something because you stop liking that person or thing or you think they will cause problems for you: He dropped the plan like a hot potato when he realized how much it would cost him. Thesaurus: synonyms and related words.