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A hot potato

A hot potato

Meaning

A current issue which many people are talking about and which is controversial.

Examples

The bombing of Syria is a political hot potato.

Where did it originate?

The United Kingdom. Derives from the literal sense that a hot potato is difficult to hold.

Where is it used?

Worldwide.

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About the Author

Gary Martin is a writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.

Gary Martin

Writer and researcher on the origins of phrases and the creator of the Phrase Finder website. Over the past 26 years more than 700 million of his pages have been downloaded by readers. He is one of the most popular and trusted sources of information on phrases and idioms.
A hot potato

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