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
This was a hot potato, with interested parties waiting to see if the meeting would be called, because, if so, its outcome was predictable.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
The Astrodome — which, along with NRG Stadium, is owned by Harris County — has become a political hot potato as the years have rolled by with its doors padlocked.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 7 Jan. 2026
With time winding down, Curry intercepted a pass at halfcourt and tossed it ahead to Butler, who played hot potato with Green before finishing a two-handed dunk for two of his team-best 16 points in the first half.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Since then, federal and state agencies have played a game of hot potato with radon, said Matthew Bozigar, an environmental epidemiologist studying radon at Oregon State University.
—Max Filby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot potato
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The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
The Astrodome — which, along with NRG Stadium, is owned by Harris County — has become a political hot potato as the years have rolled by with its doors padlocked.
—John Lomax V, Houston Chronicle, 7 Jan. 2026
With time winding down, Curry intercepted a pass at halfcourt and tossed it ahead to Butler, who played hot potato with Green before finishing a two-handed dunk for two of his team-best 16 points in the first half.
—Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 23 Dec. 2025
Since then, federal and state agencies have played a game of hot potato with radon, said Matthew Bozigar, an environmental epidemiologist studying radon at Oregon State University.
—Max Filby, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot potato
Cite this Entry
“Hot potato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20potato. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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