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
The study has been a political hot potato for years, and city leaders will soon face the question of how to distribute the department’s limited number of police officers in an effective way that satisfies the city’s array of constituencies — and legal obligations.
—
Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
The political game of hot potato, where no one wants to be seen as responsible for banning TikTok, suggests that the app may not be gone for good.
—Richard Lawler, The Verge, 18 Jan. 2025
Biden’s last-minute removal of Cuba from the list mirrors Trump’s 2021 move to designate the island a state sponsor of terrorism, with both U.S. presidents leaving behind a political hot potato for their 2020 opponent in their final days in office.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025
The game of hot potato between Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph will continue into the club's season finale against the Houston Texans.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hot potato 
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Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025
The political game of hot potato, where no one wants to be seen as responsible for banning TikTok, suggests that the app may not be gone for good.
—Richard Lawler, The Verge, 18 Jan. 2025
Biden’s last-minute removal of Cuba from the list mirrors Trump’s 2021 move to designate the island a state sponsor of terrorism, with both U.S. presidents leaving behind a political hot potato for their 2020 opponent in their final days in office.
—Laura Kelly, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025
The game of hot potato between Tennessee Titans quarterbacks Will Levis and Mason Rudolph will continue into the club's season finale against the Houston Texans.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for hot potato
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 15 Feb. 2025.
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