- Meaning
- This idiom describes being in trouble, facing difficulties, or dealing with serious consequences, often due to one’s actions or mistakes. It evokes the image of being scalded in boiling water, suggesting discomfort or danger. The phrase is used in personal, professional, or social contexts to highlight a problematic situation, carrying a warning or sympathetic tone. It reflects cultural associations of heat with peril and the human experience of facing repercussions, often implying a need to navigate or resolve the issue carefully.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in 16th-century England, tied to the literal danger of boiling water in cooking or punishment, such as scalding as a penalty. An early use appears in John Foxe’s 1563 *Book of Martyrs*, describing someone ‘in hot water’ for heresy. The idiom gained traction in the 17th century, reflecting domestic and legal contexts, as seen in Samuel Pepys’ diary. Its metaphorical use grew in 19th-century British and American English, with Charles Dickens’ *Dombey and Son* (1848) employing it. The phrase’s vivid imagery and relevance to trouble ensured its spread, particularly in journalism and everyday speech.
- Variants
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- In hot water
- Get in hot water
- In deep hot water
- Land in hot water
- Examples
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- He’s in hot water with the boss after missing the critical deadline.
- Get in hot water if you keep ignoring the company’s policies.
- She landed in hot water for spreading rumors about her colleague.
- In deep hot water, they faced penalties for the unauthorized project.
- You’ll be in hot water if you don’t apologize for that mistake soon.
- He got in hot water with his parents for sneaking out at night.
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