take the heat

Idioms  

1. Endure severe censure or criticism, as in He was known for being able to take the heat during a crisis. This idiom uses heat in the sense of “intense pressure,” as in if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

take the heat

For Nellis and her colleagues at their base in Westbury, Wiltshire, the problem is simple- old fridges can't take the heat.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

He pledged to focus on bread-and-butter issues like household bills to take the heat out of the immigration debate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 20, 2026

Librarians who speak out against the spuriousness of the process might themselves be removed, in order to take the heat off school districts.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2025

Weather officials continue to urge residents across California’s interior to take the heat seriously, especially after the last heat wave was linked to several deaths across the region.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2024

Hand over the note, embarrass JB; or hide the note, take the heat.

From "The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander

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