hot potato

noun

: a controversial question or issue that involves unpleasant or dangerous consequences for anyone dealing with it

Examples of hot potato in a Sentence

He tried to avoid taking a strong stand on political hot potatoes like abortion.
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.
Meanwhile, the redevelopment of city parks can become a political hot potato — last year, an effort to remake Zilker Park died in the face of opposition from neighbors and environmental groups. Asher Price, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024 Hochul has made also made enemies within her own party over her handling of congestion pricing and other hot potato issues. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 20 Nov. 2024 Venezuela has become both a byword for failure and, curiously, something of an ideological hot potato, a rhetorical device dropped into political conversations around the world. Moisés Naím, Foreign Affairs, 27 Jan. 2020 People who were at the party told Queen Creek police, according to a police report, that Turner first yanked a chain from Lord's friend and used it to play hot potato with other Goons. Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 7 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hot potato 

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hot potato was in 1950

Dictionary Entries Near hot potato

Cite this Entry

“Hot potato.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hot%20potato. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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