Be in/get into hot water
phrase
To be in or get into a difficult situation where you are likely to be punished.
You will be in hot water if your teacher catches you cheating.
Often appears as...
- land in hot water
- find oneself in hot water
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To be in or get into a difficult situation where you are likely to be punished.
You will be in hot water if your teacher catches you cheating.
Often appears as...
- land in hot water
- find oneself in hot water
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative meaning
The phrase doesn't involve actual water. It's a metaphor for trouble or criticism.
After losing the company money, Jim was really in hot water with his boss.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity varies
The phrase can refer to trivial trouble or serious repercussions, depending on context.
I was in hot water for being ten minutes late, but it was nothing a sincere apology couldn't fix.
Pro Tip 3/3Not always literal
Sometimes it's used humorously or sarcastically, not to denote real trouble.
He's in hot water now for eating the last cookie, but we're all just teasing him.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative meaning
The phrase doesn't involve actual water. It's a metaphor for trouble or criticism.
After losing the company money, Jim was really in hot water with his boss.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity varies
The phrase can refer to trivial trouble or serious repercussions, depending on context.
I was in hot water for being ten minutes late, but it was nothing a sincere apology couldn't fix.
Pro Tip 3/3Not always literal
Sometimes it's used humorously or sarcastically, not to denote real trouble.
He's in hot water now for eating the last cookie, but we're all just teasing him.
Pro Tip 1/3Figurative meaning
The phrase doesn't involve actual water. It's a metaphor for trouble or criticism.
After losing the company money, Jim was really in hot water with his boss.
Pro Tip 2/3Severity varies
The phrase can refer to trivial trouble or serious repercussions, depending on context.
I was in hot water for being ten minutes late, but it was nothing a sincere apology couldn't fix.
Pro Tip 3/3Not always literal
Sometimes it's used humorously or sarcastically, not to denote real trouble.
He's in hot water now for eating the last cookie, but we're all just teasing him.
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