VOA词汇掌故2023--'In The Hot Seat' Is Not Where You Want to Be

'In The Hot Seat' Is Not Where You Want to Be

And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.

Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation – one where you had to explain yourself; where you felt like all eyes are on you; and where others were questioning your actions?

If so, you may have been in the hot seat! That is our expression for today.

The "hot seat" is not a nice place to be. To be in the hot seat can be used in several different situations.

It can be a situation where you need to defend yourself or share information. If you are questioned by the police or a detective, you are definitely in the hot seat.

A difficult job interview or school exam can also make you feel like you're in the hot seat. It can be an unpleasant and uncomfortable situation.

If you are in the hot seat, someone may be closely observing your movements and actions.

For example, parents often put their children in the hot seat. They may want to know where they go, who they are with, and what they are doing. These questions could feel like an interrogation. As with the earlier police example, an interrogation and being in the hot seat go hand in hand.

Teachers and school officials can also put students in the hot seat. If students are accused of doing something like cheating on a test or damaging school property, a teacher might put them in the hot seat to get information.

The "hot seat" can also be a position of uneasiness or embarrassment¹. For this situation, we have another saying. If you put someone on the spot, you have also put them in the hot seat. For example, let's say my best friend is married to a man who isn't very honest. When I see Mr. Dishonest at a restaurant holding hands with another woman, I could put him in the hot seat by asking, "So ... what's going on? here"

If you are in the hot seat, you may also be faced with severe criticism or judgement. At work, you may find yourself in the hot seat if you fail to finish a project on time.

Here's another example. Let's say Alice is in charge of the company's yearly party. It is a big deal for employees and their families. But she told everyone the wrong date. So, when no one showed up, she found herself in the hot seat with her boss.

Notes on usage

Here are some notes on usage.

In this idiom, we use the definite article "the" and not the indefinite article "a." So, we don't say someone was "in a hot seat."

Now, let's talk about the preposition "in." Some online dictionaries give examples of this idiom using the preposition "on" – to be on the hot seat. I commonly hear in the hot seat and not on the hot seat. Both are correct. But in the hot seat sounds more natural.

The usage of this idiom goes back to the early 1900s. Some word experts say that it may have come from the use of electric chairs for executions. Other experts say the idiom may come from the card game poker². In poker, players in the "hot seat" are under the most pressure to bet or play their cards.

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ...

Words in This Story

interview – n. a formal consultation³ usually to evaluate qualifications (as of a prospective⁴ student or employee)

interrogation – n. a formal and systematic⁵ questioning

go hand in hand - idiomatic⁶ phrase in close association

cheat – v. to use unfair or dishonest methods to gain an advantage

embarrassment – n. state of feeling self-consciously confused or distressed⁷

 

execution – n. a putting to death especially as a legal penalty

1 embarrassment   

n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫

参考例句：

• She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
• Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。

2 poker   

n.扑克；vt.烙制

参考例句：

• He was cleared out in the poker game.他打扑克牌，把钱都输光了。
• I'm old enough to play poker and do something with it.我打扑克是老手了，可以玩些花样。

3 consultation   

n.咨询；商量；商议；会议

参考例句：

• The company has promised wide consultation on its expansion plans.该公司允诺就其扩展计划广泛征求意见。
• The scheme was developed in close consultation with the local community.该计划是在同当地社区密切磋商中逐渐形成的。

4 prospective   

adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的

参考例句：

• The story should act as a warning to other prospective buyers.这篇报道应该对其他潜在的购买者起到警示作用。
• They have all these great activities for prospective freshmen.这会举办各种各样的活动来招待未来的新人。

5 systematic   

adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的

参考例句：

• The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
• The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。

6 idiomatic   

adj.成语的，符合语言习惯的

参考例句：

• In our reading we should always be alert for idiomatic expressions.我们在阅读过程中应经常注意惯用法。
• In his lecture,he bore down on the importance of idiomatic usage in a language.他在演讲中着重强调了语言中习惯用法的重要性。

7 distressed   

痛苦的

参考例句：

• He was too distressed and confused to answer their questions. 他非常苦恼而困惑，无法回答他们的问题。
• The news of his death distressed us greatly. 他逝世的消息使我们极为悲痛。