hot water
/hɒt ˈwɔːtə/noun
1Water at a high temperature, either naturally as in a hot spring, or artificially heated for cookery, washing, or other purposes; (in later use) specifically heated water available on tap (in a home, hotel, etc.).
2 Figurative informal. A state of discomfort, difficulty, or painful uncertainty; disgrace, trouble. Chiefly in in hot water.
3In plural Alcoholic spirits obtained by distillation; spirituous liquors. Now historical.
Origin
Old English; earliest use found in Lacnunga. From hot + water.
- in one's pelt
- in one's senses
- in (one's) shirtsleeves
- in (one's) stockinged feet
- in one's tracks
- in one's wildest dreams
- in open court
- inoperability
- inoperable
- inoperably
- inoperative
- inopportune
- inopportunely
- inopportuneness
- in opposition
- in (or at) a canter
- in (or at) one fell swoop
- in (or by) comparison
- in (or by) fits and starts
- in order
- in order for (or that)
- in order to do something
- in ordinary
- inordinate
- inordinately