a hot potato

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR B2

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Figurative meaning

A controversial or awkward issue that no one wants to deal with.

Why this phrase?

From the game of tossing away a too-hot potato so as not to get burned.

Example

“Immigration is a political hot potato in many countries.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

the elephant in the room Neutral · CEFR B2

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

can of worms Informal · CEFR B1

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

get out of hand Neutral · CEFR B1

To become impossible to control.

beat around the bush Informal · CEFR B2

To avoid talking about the main point directly.

in a pickle Informal · CEFR B2

in a difficult or embarrassing situation

nip it in the bud Neutral · CEFR B2

to stop a problem at an early stage

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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