white heat

noun

1. a stage of intense activity, excitement, feeling, etc.:

   The sales campaign is at white heat.

2. an intense heat at which a substance glows with white light.

white heat

noun

1. intense heat or a very high temperature, characterized by emission of white light
2. informal.
   a state of intense excitement or activity

Word History and Origins

Origin of white heat¹

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

"Really, you ought to write all this," exclaimed Aunt Maria, her imagination fired to a white heat.

From Project Gutenberg

As supper-time came, they set this heap afire and let it burn for an hour or two, until the great flat ledge was at a white heat.

From Project Gutenberg

The door swung open—no mosquitoes were stirring in that white heat—and the sun slanted inward with long dazzling rays.

From Project Gutenberg

A burst of white heat rolled out of the gun, licking around Rudi.

From Project Gutenberg

Nations are benefited, I believe, for ages, by being thrown once into divine white-heat in this manner.

From Project Gutenberg