in the hot seat

Cultural  

1. In an uncomfortable or embarrassing situation, usually by being subjected to severe criticism: “When the settlement talks broke down, he was in the hot seat with both management and labor.” The phrase is an extension of “hot seat,” slang for the electric chair.

---

in the hot seat Idioms  

1. see hot seat.

---

Example Sentences

Judging by the noise coming out of Hollywood, whoever ends up in the hot seat ought to be relieved not to be caught up in the Warner takeover battle.

From Barron's

A fortnight after the Gunners' surprise draw at Sunderland gave their Premier League title rivals new hope, Sunday's resounding win over Tottenham has put them firmly back in the hot seat.

From BBC

OpenAI’s new short-form video app is putting Meta Platforms Inc. in the hot seat.

From MarketWatch

Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham was at BBC Radio Manchester's studios in Salford Quays, preparing to take part in his regular In The Hot Seat interview, when initial reports filtered in.

From BBC

In May, Lineker held back tears as he signed off from his final edition of Match of the Day after 26 years in the hot seat and officially left the BBC.

From BBC