English idiom

a hot potato

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

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

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

can of worms

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

get out of hand

To become impossible to control.

beat around the bush

To avoid talking about the main point directly.

in a pickle

in a difficult or embarrassing situation

nip it in the bud

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.

External links

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