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
There are still times that Brody and Bell generate some sweetness, but the heat and crackle between them is missing — by choice a lot of the time, but far from all of it.
—
Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Prior to her latest health scare, Bardot was treated for respiratory problems in 2023 after struggling to breathe due to the heat.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
The legendary grill master takes the heat indoors during AD’s tour of his 100-year-old Tribeca home.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Murray spent much of the show out of the spotlight playing bongos, cowbell, shakers and wind chimes while his band members sang and brought the heat with soulful guitar solos and funky sax.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the heat
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Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
Prior to her latest health scare, Bardot was treated for respiratory problems in 2023 after struggling to breathe due to the heat.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
The legendary grill master takes the heat indoors during AD’s tour of his 100-year-old Tribeca home.
—Megan Johnson, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Murray spent much of the show out of the spotlight playing bongos, cowbell, shakers and wind chimes while his band members sang and brought the heat with soulful guitar solos and funky sax.
—Audrey Gibbs, Nashville Tennessean, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the heat
Cite this Entry
“The heat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20heat. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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