the heat
noun
: pressure to do something
The administration is putting the heat on legislators to approve the tax bill.
She's at her best when the heat is on with tight deadlines.
The company has turned up the heat on its employees to finish the job quickly.
Note: The expression if you can't stand/take the heat, get out of the kitchen means that you should not try to do a difficult job if you cannot deal with the pressure and problems that are part of the job.
Examples of the heat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
When summer temperatures hit, guests will probably want to take a reprieve from the heat indoors.
—
Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2024
Those delays, though, were because of the need to ensure astronauts’ safety after the heat shield on the Orion spacecraft saw more damage than expected during Artemis I, along with other issues.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
At the same time, the heat shield will insulate the important scientific measurement equipment located toward the back of the probe, keeping that area at room temperature, Rayl said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024
But the heat wave lasted days and months for several cities straining power grids and water supplies.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the heat 
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Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Dec. 2024
Those delays, though, were because of the need to ensure astronauts’ safety after the heat shield on the Orion spacecraft saw more damage than expected during Artemis I, along with other issues.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Dec. 2024
At the same time, the heat shield will insulate the important scientific measurement equipment located toward the back of the probe, keeping that area at room temperature, Rayl said.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 Dec. 2024
But the heat wave lasted days and months for several cities straining power grids and water supplies.
—Jim Foerster, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the heat
Dictionary Entries Near the heat
Cite this Entry
“The heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20heat. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
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