hot water

American  

noun

Informal.

1. trouble; a predicament.

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

---

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of hot water

First recorded in 1530–40

Example Sentences

Eleven establishments were closed from April 16 to 23, nine for rodent or cockroach infestations, one for insufficient hot water and one for unapproved remodeling.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

Were Vrabel the CEO of a publicly traded widget factory, he might be in hot water with his board, no matter how many widgets he sold.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

A squirt of dish soap, a cup of hot water, a few pulses, a quick brush.

From Salon • Apr. 21, 2026

Lamberhurst St Mary's Church of England VC Primary School closed as it had no access to hot water.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

“Boaz!” she said sharply, rubbing her temples before taking a glass from the cabinet and pouring herself some hot water from the kettle, followed with a generous scoop of instant coffee.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny