hot and bothered

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformal

   Upset, flustered, or worked up, especially over something that is not really worth that much fuss.

   Grammar: Used after a verb such as get or be: don't get hot and bothered.

   Patterns

   • get hot and bothered about something
   • be hot and bothered

   He got all hot and bothered when he couldn't find his keys.

   There is no need to get hot and bothered about a small delay.

   The cook was hot and bothered by the rush of orders.

2. 2phraseidiominformalhumorous

   Excited or aroused in a romantic or physical way.

   Grammar: Often used jokingly or with a hint, usually after get.

   Patterns

   • get someone hot and bothered

   The film's love scenes left some viewers hot and bothered.

   He blushed, clearly hot and bothered by her smile.

   The actor's charm got the whole audience hot and bothered.

Common combinations

get hot and bothered

Don't get hot and bothered; the train will come soon.

all hot and bothered

She arrived all hot and bothered after running to the station.

hot and bothered about

Why is he so hot and bothered about the seating plan?

leave someone hot and bothered

The surprise visit left the host hot and bothered.

Synonyms and how they differ

flustered

Flustered focuses on being confused and nervous, without the extra idea of overheating or excitement that hot and bothered can carry.

agitated

Agitated is more formal and suggests visible restlessness or worry.

worked up

Worked up is also informal but suggests anger or distress building up over time.

riled

Riled mostly means annoyed or angered, not nervous or aroused.

Opposites

Word family

bother verb

to annoy or trouble someone

bothered adjective

worried or troubled

hot adjective

high in temperature, or angry and excited

Commonly confused: hot and bothered or hot under the collar?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hot and bothered”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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