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Synonyms

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]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

Hoover insists he is prepared to take the heat.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 23, 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

I had a faint hope that the Captain, not being an islander, would take the heat as an excuse to slow down a bit.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.