hot water

American  

noun

Informal.

1. trouble; a predicament.

   His skipping classes will get him into real hot water when exam time comes.

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hot water Idioms  

1. Trouble or difficulty, as in She's deep in political hot water, or We got in hot water over the car deal, or He's finally paid his tuition and is out of hot water with the school. This metaphoric term alludes to water hot enough to burn one. [First half of 1500s] Also see in trouble with.

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Etymology

Origin of hot water

First recorded in 1530–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hot water

Fluorite commonly forms when hot water circulates through volcanic rock, indicating that Jezero Crater experienced a later period of heated groundwater activity after the earlier interactions with groundwater and the lake.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 30, 2026

"Through the summer we were still using it because our hot water runs off our heating oil," she said.

From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026

Some brands opt to skip fermentation, which naturally produces alcohol, and instead mix ingredients such as herbs and spices in hot water before distilling the mixture.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

While her $3,400 rent is the same each month, her utility bill, which includes charges for shared utilities including water, wastewater, hot water and HVAC, fluctuates by hundreds of dollars.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

The Captain had put chairs on top of tables and was beginning to mop the floor with hot water and disinfectant.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson