get into hot water

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase "get into hot water" is often used to mean to become involved in some kind of trouble. For example: "He got into hot water when he was caught shoplifting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

If you push the limits of this rule, you could get into hot water.

The New York Times

The way all parties, including my own, get into hot water about party funding needs to be cleared up.

The Guardian

Thus, if California were to get into hot water, it could seek assistance in Washington, and probably come away with some funds.

The New York Times

Remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, 'Women are like teabags – they never know how strong they are until they get into hot water'.

The Guardian - Sport

Get into hot water in Guatemala Before Lake Izabal empties into the Caribbean Sea, it gets into a heated debate with a small cascade just off its north shore.

Independent

Indeed, such was the perceived sympathy afforded to Del Piero by Peter Green, Melbourne Victory themselves publically aired their dissatisfaction, sending out an inflammatory tweet during the game, that may or may not see the club get into hot water.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In 2011 Luiz Suarez, a Liverpool player, got into hot water after baiting an opponent.

The Economist

They were also quite rebellious and mischievous, constantly getting into hot water with the censors.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Imagine getting into hot water with some religious fanatics in the name of comedy?

The Guardian - Opinion

Only last year, a Christian Democrat leader got into hot water for declaring that he was "proud to be German".

The Economist

Radio 1, the nearest equivalent to Triple J, got into hot water thanks to a dumb tweet about her last year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "get into hot water" when you want to convey that someone is facing trouble due to their actions or circumstances. It's more impactful than saying "get into trouble."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "get into hot water" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms such as "get into trouble" or "face difficulties" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get into hot water" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes a state of being in trouble or facing difficulties, as confirmed by Ludwig, which notes its common use in expressing involvement in some kind of trouble.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "get into hot water" is an idiomatic expression meaning to encounter trouble or difficulties, as noted by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While it isn't overly formal, it's suitable for various situations. When using it, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "get into trouble" for variety. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is often used to mean to become involved in some kind of trouble, making it a useful expression to describe problematic situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get into trouble

Replaces "hot water" with the more general term "trouble", reducing the intensity of the idiom.

land in trouble

Focuses on the result of actions leading to difficulty, emphasizing arrival at a troublesome state.

get in a mess

Describes the situation as disorganized or chaotic, implying potential for further complications.

face difficulties

Focuses on the experience of hardship rather than the cause, shifting from an active to a more passive perspective.

encounter problems

Similar to facing difficulties, but emphasizes the occurrence of problems as a chance event.

find oneself in a predicament

More formal and emphasizes the state of being in a difficult situation.

be in a difficult situation

A more literal and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea, suitable for formal contexts.

be in a bind

Informal and suggests a restrictive or limiting difficulty.

be in a jam

Informal, portraying the situation as sticky or complicated.

face the music

Implies accountability and the acceptance of consequences for one's actions, adding a layer of responsibility.

FAQs

What does it mean to "get into hot water"?

To "get into hot water" means to find yourself in trouble or difficulty, often due to your own actions or decisions. It's an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where someone faces negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "get into hot water"?

You can use alternatives like "get into trouble", "face difficulties", or "find oneself in a predicament" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "get into hot water" in formal writing?

While "get into hot water" is widely understood, it might be more appropriate to use a less idiomatic alternative like "be in a difficult situation" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

What's the origin of the idiom "get into hot water"?

The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely comes from the discomfort and potential harm associated with being scalded by hot water, symbolizing the unpleasantness of being in trouble. The expression has been used in English since at least the 19th century.