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

But what to do about it is a hot potato that must balance addressing the struggles many doctors face with the harm that can come to patients when such problems are ignored. —Harriet Blair Rowan, Mercury News, 5 June 2025

The political hot potato promises to create a patchwork of taxes and has already led to finger-pointing between local and state officials. —Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2025

Trump and El Salvador play a game of hot potato President Trump met with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday. —Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 18 Apr. 2025

Reality check: While the poll shows support for housing density, the issue remains a political hot potato in Nashville. —Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hot potato

• adagio
• altiplano
• arapaho
• arapahoe
• manifesto
• medicago
• minangkabau
• oregano
• ostinato
• pistachio
• politico
• portfolio