hot mic

American

[hot mahyk] / ˈhɒt ˈmaɪk /

Or hot mike

noun

Informal.

a microphone that is actively recording or broadcasting, especially if it captures a comment or conversation that the speaker or speakers believed to be private (often used attributively): The reporter was suspended after her profanity was caught on a hot mic.

The techs should limit the number of hot mics to reduce acoustic feedback.
The reporter was suspended after her profanity was caught on a hot mic.
Their hot mic scheming confirmed the conspiracy theories.

Etymology

Origin of hot mic

1930–35; hot (in the sense “actively conducting an electric current”) + mic “microphone”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Xi Jinping did not invite Donald Trump to the recent military parade in Beijing, where he and Vladimir Putin were caught on a hot mic discussing how to achieve immortality through organ transplants.

From Slate • Sep. 12, 2025

Putin suggested even eternal life could be achievable as a result of innovations in biotechnology, according to a translation of remarks caught on a hot mic.

From BBC • Sep. 3, 2025

The former “Access Hollywood” correspondent and co-anchor, who was entangled in a hot mic controversy with then-candidate Donald Trump in 2016, wants to focus on his own show.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 13, 2025

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was caught on a hot mic the other day giving his assessment of Donald Trump’s threat to turn Canada into the 51st state.

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2025

“It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation,” then-Secretary of State John Kerry said sarcastically about the battle, in a moment caught on a hot mic.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 15, 2023

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023