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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hot water

About 75% of British households rely on natural gas for heating and hot water, not to mention the needs of what’s left of British industry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

But the mayor insists that back-up plans will be in place, with generators provided at schools and medical facilities for light, heating and hot water.

From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026

This summer, news reports revealed that multiple sailors had attempted to jump overboard amid shortages of fresh food, disruptions to hot water and laundry services and exhaustion.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026

He said the strike had damaged a heating main, adding that there would be a temporary lack of hot water in the north-eastern Desnyanskyi district as a result.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

The streaming hot water soaked everyone to the skin, and as soon as the water cooled down, everybody was wet and freezing.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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