How do you use "Hot under the collar" in a sentence?

He got really hot under the collar when they questioned his work. Don't get hot under the collar—it was just a joke. She's a bit hot under the collar about the criticism.

Hot under the collar

Q: What does "Hot under the collar" mean?

Angry, irritated, or embarrassed. Describes the physical sensation of getting flushed and warm when angry or embarrassed. Often used for controlled but visible annoyance.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

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Meaning: Angry, irritated, or embarrassed.

生气、恼怒或尴尬

Enfadado, irritado o avergonzado.

怒っている、イライラしている、恥ずかしい

화가 난, 짜증이 난, 또는 당황한.

Describes the physical sensation of getting flushed and warm when angry or embarrassed. Often used for controlled but visible annoyance.

形容生气或尴尬时脸红发热的身体感觉。常用于描述克制但明显的恼怒。

Describe la sensación física de ruborizarse y acalorarse al enfadarse o avergonzarse. Se usa a menudo para un enfado controlado pero visible.

怒ったり恥ずかしくなったりしたときに、顔が火照って温かくなる身体的な感覚を表す。抑えているが見て分かるイライラによく使われる。

화가 나거나 당황할 때 얼굴이 달아오르고 열이 나는 신체적 감각을 묘사한다. 억누르고 있지만 겉으로 드러나는 짜증에 자주 사용된다.

Literal meaning: Feeling heat around one's neck from emotion

Examples

He got really hot under the collar when they questioned his work.
当他们质疑他的工作时，他非常恼火。
Se puso muy irritado cuando cuestionaron su trabajo.
仕事を疑問視されて、彼はかなりカッとなった。
자기 일에 대해 의문을 제기하자 그는 상당히 버럭했다.
Don't get hot under the collar—it was just a joke.
别生气，只是开个玩笑。
No te acalores, solo era una broma.
ムキにならないで、ただの冗談だよ。
화내지 마, 그냥 농담이었어.
She's a bit hot under the collar about the criticism.
她对那些批评有点恼火。
Está un poco molesta por las críticas.
批判に対して彼女はちょっとカリカリしている。
비판에 대해 그녀는 좀 발끈하고 있다.

Pronunciation

/hɒt ˈʌndə ðə ˈkɒlə/

Usage Guide

Context: anger, embarrassment, irritation

Tone: observational, sometimes teasing

✓ Do Say

Getting hot under the collar
变得恼怒
acalorarse
カッとなる
열 받고 있다
A bit hot under the collar
有点恼火
un poco irritado
ちょっとイライラしている
좀 발끈하고 있다

✗ Don't Say

Hot around the collar
不说 hot around the collar
No se dice hot around the collar
hot around the collar とは言わない
칼라 주변이 뜨겁다

Common Mistakes

Can mean embarrassed as well as angry

Origin & History

From the physical response of blood rushing to the face and neck when angry or embarrassed.

Etymology: Late 19th century English

First recorded: 1890s

Cultural Context

Era: 1890s to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Business contexts; Arguments

Regional notes: Common in both British and American English.

Variations

Hot under the collarGetting hot under the collar