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

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After his sweeping tariffs rattled the global economy, President Trump tries to turn down the heat with China. ABC News, 27 Apr. 2025 For honeymooners eager to turn up the heat (literally and figuratively), Miami Beach offers plenty of memorable ways to celebrate the start of your forever. Skye Sherman, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2025 The annual number hit a low of 18 such transfers during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, when jail populations fell dramatically. Teri Figueroa, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025 Target has also felt the heat from conservative groups in recent years, and from shoppers and potential customers who have shown support for the administration and its policies. Gabrielle Fonrouge,annika Kim Constantino,leslie Josephs,ari Levy,amelia Lucas,melissa Repko,hugh Son,michael Wayland, CNBC, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for the heat

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Cite this Entry

“The heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20heat. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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