| 释义 |
hot potato
hot potaton. Informal A problem that is so controversial or sensitive that those handling it risk unpleasant consequences: gun control—a political hot potato.hot potato n slang an awkward or delicate matter hot′ pota′to
n. Informal. a situation or issue that is difficult, unpleasant, or risky to deal with. [1840–50] Thesaurus| Noun | 1. | hot potato - a difficult situation; "he dropped the topic like a hot potato"situation - a complex or critical or unusual difficulty; "the dangerous situation developed suddenly"; "that's quite a situation"; "no human situation is simple" |
Translationshot potato
hot potatoA sensitive situation or controversial issue that is difficult to handle and thus gets passed from one person to the next (like a potato that is too hot to hold). The political candidate knew the issue was a hot potato, so he deferred to his chief of staff, who directed questions to the committee chairperson.See also: hot, potatohot potatoA 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" (lest one be burned). The idiom alludes to the fact that cooked potatoes retain considerable heat because they contain a lot of water. See also: hot, potatoa hot potato COMMON If a subject or problem is a hot potato, it is very difficult to deal with, especially because it is something that people argue about a lot. When she is faced with a political hot potato such tightening the gun laws, she is not afraid to give her opinion. Pricing policy is another hot potato.See also: hot, potatoa hot poˈtato (informal) a very sensitive matter that is difficult or embarrassing to deal with: His resignation is a political hot potato.See also: hot, potatohot potato n. a difficult problem. I sure don’t want to have to deal with that hot potato. See also: hot, potatohot potato
hot potato A popular term for a controversial issue, which alludes to the fact that cooked potatoes retain heat because of their high water content, and are thus hard to handle.hot potato
Words related to hot potatonoun a difficult situationRelated Words |