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
Trump and El Salvador play a game of hot potato
President Trump met with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday.
—
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Reality check: While the poll shows support for housing density, the issue remains a political hot potato in Nashville.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Like a radioactive hot potato, a solution to America's growing stockpile of nuclear waste keeps getting passed around.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
But the subject is a hot potato in New Mexico for a few reasons.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hot potato
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Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025
Reality check: While the poll shows support for housing density, the issue remains a political hot potato in Nashville.
—Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025
Like a radioactive hot potato, a solution to America's growing stockpile of nuclear waste keeps getting passed around.
—Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 5 Mar. 2025
But the subject is a hot potato in New Mexico for a few reasons.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 28 Feb. 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 21 May. 2025.
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