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
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.
With the heat at medium-low, stir the water in a circular motion to create a whirlpool. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 14 June 2025 The pollution also creates ground-level ozone when nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds — emissions from vehicles — bake in the heat and form a brown smog over the Front Range. Noelle Phillips, Denver Post, 13 June 2025 But the strong sun can be a deterrent to those who want to stay out of the heat and avoid UV rays. Sandi Schwartz, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 June 2025 Rare also showed some viewers the heat dome episode plus a social media video reiterating the health dangers of extreme heat. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for the heat

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Cite this Entry

“The heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20heat. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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