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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some relief from the heat is in the forecast for Charlotte, according to the NWS. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 19 July 2025 July and August are perfect seeding times for crops that prefer the cooler weather, and if started now, will be hitting their stride just when the heat gods are headed south for winter. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 18 July 2025 As the summer temperatures reach a boiling point, numerous artists — from Alex Warren to BTS — are turning up the heat with new releases. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 18 July 2025 How the extreme weather alert can affect you The National Weather Service in Miami issues a heat advisory if the heat index is 105 degrees for at least a couple of hours. Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for the heat

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20heat. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!