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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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Jun 26, 2024 · 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 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.
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.
Definition of 'hot potato' Word Frequency. Share. ×. Credits. ×. hot potato. Word forms: plural hot potatoes. countable noun. If you describe a problem or issue as a hot potato, you mean that it is very difficult and nobody wants to deal with it. [informal] The issue promises to be a political hot potato.
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.
A hot potato is an idiom referring to a tricky or controversial topic. Its meaning relates to sensitive issues that might cause contention within the group in which it is mentioned.
