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 Obviously, this game of hot potato with human beings helps no one and Gov. Hochul has been AWOL, leaving it up to localities like NYC. —

New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 26 June 2024 Now, for the rest of the play, the family will play a particularly grisly game of hot potato. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 16 June 2024 New York’s biggest competition is Mexico City, which accounts for 8 of Mexico’s 14 places on the list—the top four spots on the list are passed between the two cities like a hot potato. —

Charlie Hobbs, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 May 2023 Positive government support for independent professionals would be a helpful step but freelancing remains a political (and taxation) hot potato and will take more time. —

Jon Younger, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hot potato

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hot potato.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.