Meaning & use
in hot water
Last updated
UK/ɪn ˈhɒt ˈwɔːtə/
US/ɪn ˈhɑːt ˈwɔːtər/
Meaning
phraseidiominformal
In trouble, usually because of something you did that has upset someone in authority.
Grammar: Follows a verb such as be or land: he is in hot water.
Patterns
- be in hot water with someone
- be in hot water over something
- land in hot water
He found himself in hot water with the boss after missing the deadline.
The company is in hot water over its advertising.
You will be in hot water if you forget her birthday.
Common combinations
- land in hot water
- His joke landed him in hot water.
- in hot water with the boss
- I am in hot water with the boss again.
- in hot water over
- The mayor is in hot water over the budget.
- get into hot water
- Careless emails can get you into hot water.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in trouble
- In trouble is plain and covers any problem, while in hot water suggests blame.
- in the doghouse
- In the doghouse suggests a personal disagreement with someone close, such as a partner.
- on thin ice
- On thin ice warns that trouble might come, while in hot water means it has arrived.
Opposites
Word family
- hot water noun
- water that has been heated
- trouble noun
- difficulty or problems
Commonly confused: in hot water or in deep water?
in hot water vs in deep water
In deep water suggests danger beyond your ability, rather than punishment.
Practice
The minister was in hot water after ____.
Choose one answer.
In hot water means being in trouble, which fits remarks that upset voters. The other options are neutral or positive.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in hot water”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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