How do you use "In hot water" in a sentence?

He's in hot water with the boss. That comment got her in hot water. You'll land yourself in hot water.

In hot water

Q: What does "In hot water" mean?

In trouble. To be in a difficult situation, especially facing criticism or punishment.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: In trouble.

陷入麻烦

en problemas

困った状況にある

곤란한 상황에 처한

To be in a difficult situation, especially facing criticism or punishment.

处于困境，尤其是面临批评或惩罚的情况。

Estar en una situación difícil, especialmente enfrentando críticas o castigo.

困難な状況にあること、特に批判や罰を受ける状況。

어려운 상황에 처한 것, 특히 비판이나 처벌을 받게 되는 경우를 말한다.

Literal meaning: In dangerously hot water

Examples

He's in hot water with the boss.
他被老板盯上了
Está en problemas con el jefe
彼は上司に睨まれている
그는 상사한테 찍혔다.
That comment got her in hot water.
那句话让她惹上麻烦了
Ese comentario la metió en problemas
その発言で彼女は困ったことになった
그 발언 때문에 그녀는 곤란해졌다.
You'll land yourself in hot water.
你会给自己惹麻烦的
Te vas a meter en un lío
そうすると厄介なことになるぞ
그러다가 큰일 나겠어.

Pronunciation

/ɪn hɒt ˈwɔːtə/

Usage Guide

Context: trouble, difficulty, criticism

Tone: warning, concerned

✓ Do Say

In hot water.
有麻烦了
En problemas
困っている
곤란한 상황에 처했다.
Got in hot water.
惹上麻烦了
Se metió en problemas
困ったことになった
곤경에 빠졌다.
You'll be in hot water.
你会有麻烦的
Vas a tener problemas
困ることになるぞ
큰일 나겠어.

✗ Don't Say

In trouble
In trouble（有麻烦）
In trouble（En problemas）
In trouble（困っている）
곤란하다
In difficulty
In difficulty（处于困境）
In difficulty（En dificultades）
In difficulty（困難な状況で）
어렵다

Common Mistakes

Very common idiom
Can be serious or minor trouble

Origin & History

From the discomfort of being in hot water.

Etymology: English idiom

First recorded: 16th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common idiom; Workplace situations

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

In hot waterGot in hot waterLand in hot water