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

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

In evidence, Orphan accepted he "probably" should have done more to "take the heat out of the argument".

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2024

Many CSP factories focus the light from their mirrors onto specially designed towers that can take the heat and turn it into electricity, usually by turning water into steam.

From NewsForKids.net ● May 21, 2024

Ann was delighted, but decided not to take the heat off the city council, which could still reject or accept the commission’s decision.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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