hot seat, in the

in the hot seat

Faced with harsh criticism or judgment. I was in the hot seat when the boss found out that I'd caused that error in the report.See also: hot, seat

hot seat, in the

In a position of extreme stress or discomfort, as when subjected to harsh criticism. For example, When merger negotiations broke down, he was in the hot seat with the stockholders. This expression extends hot seat in the sense of "the electric chair" (for effecting an execution) to wider use. [c. 1930] See also: hot