hot potato

noun

: a controversial question or issue that involves unpleasant or dangerous consequences for anyone dealing with it

Examples of hot potato in a Sentence

He tried to avoid taking a strong stand on political hot potatoes like abortion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Their work reveals the devastating effects of PFAS from carpet treatments, as well as the frustrating game of accountability hot potato between companies, state regulators, federal agencies and other interest groups. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Polymarket dropped him like a hot potato, though, once the CFTC began poking into his suspicious Kalshi bets. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026

However, the Iskur V2 NewGen had my back, literally, and kept me stable without dropping me like a hot potato. — Kimberly Gedeon, PC Magazine, 30 Aug. 2026

Families can bounce between potato sack races and games of hot potato in the Tater Tot Kidz Zone before browsing the farmers market and vintage tractor show. — Kinsey Gidick, Travel + Leisure, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hot potato

• adagio
• altiplano
• arapaho
• arapahoe
• fortissimo
• manifesto
• minangkabau
• oregano
• ostinato
• pistachio
• politico
• portfolio