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- Dictionaryhot po·ta·to/ˌhät pəˈtādō/
noun
- 1. a controversial issue or situation that is awkward or unpleasant to deal with: informal "dog registration has become a political hot potato"
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a situation or subject that people disagree strongly about and that no one wants to deal with: The issue of immigration became a political hot potato. (Definition of hot potato from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press) Examples of hot potato.
The meaning of HOT POTATO is a controversial question or issue that involves unpleasant or dangerous consequences for anyone dealing with it. How to use hot potato in a sentence.
A problem so controversial and sensitive that it is risky to deal with. For example, Gun control is a political hot potato. This term, dating from the mid-1800s, alludes to the only slightly older expression drop like a hot potato, meaning "to abandon something or someone quickly
refers to a controversial or sensitive topic that people avoid discussing. describe a situation or issue that is difficult to handle or resolve, often passed from person to person like a hot potato. also signify a sudden and urgent problem that requires immediate attention.
HOT POTATO meaning: 1. a problem, situation, etc. that is difficult to deal with and causes a lot of disagreement: 2…. Learn more.
A hot potato is an issue that makes everyone feel uncomfortable. The phrase hot potato comes up a lot in politics. For example, a reporter might explain that a candidate won't speak about a controversial topic because it's "a political hot potato ," or an issue that people disagree strongly about.
Hot potato definition: a situation or issue that is difficult, unpleasant, or risky to deal with.. See examples of HOT POTATO used in a sentence.
Meaning Of Idiom ‘Hot Potato’. When something is a hot potato it is a problem, situation, or subject that is controversial, divisive, sensitive, awkward, risky, embarrassing, difficult, or unpleasant to deal with; something that causes a lot of disagreement; something that makes people angry when discussed. 1, 2, 3.
The idiom ‘hot potato’ is used to describe a controversial or sensitive issue that is difficult to handle and often avoided by individuals or groups. It refers to a topic or situation that is fraught with complexity, disagreement, or risk, making it uncomfortable or undesirable to address.
A Hot Potato - Meaning & Origin Of The Idiom. A hot potato. Meaning. A current issue which many people are talking about and which is controversial. Examples. The bombing of Syria is a political hot potato. Where did it originate? The United Kingdom. Derives from the literal sense that a hot potato is difficult to hold. Where is it used? Worldwide.
