Expressions with the Word "Hot"

江湖一把刀

Expressions with the Word "Hot"

           

Now, the VOA Special English program WORDSAND THEIR STORIES.

Every language has its own special wordsand expressions. And a story can be told about each of them.

Hot is a simple, easily-understood word. Soare most of the expressions made with the word hot. But not always, as we shallsee.

The words hot potato, for example, giveyou no idea at all to the meaning of the expression, hot potato.

The potato is a popular vegetable in theUnited States. Many people like baked potatoes, cooked in an oven or fire.Imagine trying to carry a hot, baked potato in your hand. It would bedifficult, even painful, to do so.

Now we are getting close to the meaning ofhot potato.

Some publicly-disputed issues are highlyemotional. The issues must be treated carefully, or they will be difficult andpainful if an elected official has to deal with them. As difficult and painfulas holding a hot potato.

One such hot potato is taxes.

Calling for higher taxes can mean defeatfor a politician. And yet, if taxes are not raised, some very populargovernment programs could be cut. And that also can make a politician veryunpopular. So the questions must be dealt with carefully...the same way youwould handle any other hot potato.

Another expression is not so hot.If you ask someone how she feels, she may answer: "not so hot." Whatshe means is she does not feel well.

Not so hot also is a way of saying thatyou do not really like something. You may tell a friend that the new play yousaw last night is not so hot. That means you did not consider it a success.

A hot shot is a person -- often ayoung person -- who thinks he can do anything. At least he wants to try. He isvery sure he can succeed. But often he fails. The expression was born in the militaryforces. A hot shot was a soldier who fired without aiming carefully.

Hot is a word that is often used to talkabout anger.

A person who becomes angry easily iscalled a hothead. An angry person's neck often becomes red. We say he ishot under the collar. You could say that your friend is no hothead. But hegot hot under the collar when someone took his radio.

In nineteen sixty-three, hot lineappeared as a new expression.

The hot line was a direct communicationslink between the leaders of the Soviet Union and the United States. The hotline had an important purpose: to prevent accidental war between the twocompetitors during the period known as the Cold War. The American president andthe Soviet leader were able to communicate directly and immediately on the hotline. This helped prevent any conflict during an international crisis.

You have been listening to the VOA SpecialEnglish program, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. Our program was written byMarilyn Rice Christiano. I'm Warren Scheer.