English Idioms

Be in Hot Water (also, “Land in Hot Water”)

Meaning:

• be in trouble

Frequency of Use: High

1. I’m in hot water because I forgot my wife’s birthday.
2. My coworker landed in hot water when he took the company car without permission.
3. If you don’t tell the teacher that you cheated, you are going to get in really hot water.
4. Hey. Don’t get into hot water by lying about your mistake.

1. Have you ever landed in hot water with family or friends? If so, what was the situation, and how did you resolve the situation?
2. Would you get into hot water if you cheated on a test, but you told the teacher right afterward?

You are speeding down the highway about 20 kilometers an hour above the speed limit while texting your best friend at the same time. 

Then, you see a police car in your rearview mirror, and they pull you over. Fear runs through your mind as the police write out a very expensive speeding ticket. As you drive away, you hit a traffic sign, and it damages your father’s car. The police stop you again and give you another ticket for reckless driving. 

Now, you’re in really hot water. What should you do in this situation?

Possible Answer: 

“I might talk to my mom and explain the situation before I discuss anything with my dad.”

Sometimes, learners know the meaning of an idiom, but they don’t know how to use it correctly in conversation or writing. Thus, this activity checks your grammatical accuracy with the idiom so you become more confident in using it.