the heat

noun

: pressure to do something

The administration is putting the heat on legislators to approve the tax bill.

She's at her best when the heat is on with tight deadlines.

The company has turned up the heat on its employees to finish the job quickly.

Note: The expression if you can't stand/take the heat, get out of the kitchen means that you should not try to do a difficult job if you cannot deal with the pressure and problems that are part of the job.

Examples of the heat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30–35 minutes, until the flavors are well combined. —Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 15 Oct. 2025

Whisk vigorously to break down the bread, then remove from the heat. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Oct. 2025

After a dominant finish to the season in the heat of a playoff hunt, Keller can expect a much nicer payday this offseason. —Jon Paul Hoornstra, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025

The sea shone in the heat, switching color abruptly from a light teal to a deeper aquamarine. —Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025

Rhymes for the heat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• buckwheat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete