Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

take the heat

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.82 in modern English

Syllables: take the heat
IPA

21

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To take the blame; to be the focus of anger or scrutiny; to take the consequences.

Informal

verb

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see take, heat.

Example Sentences

"If this decision turns out to be a bad one, I'll take the heat for it."
"For entirely self-serving reasons, ministers and civil servants never dispelled the public belief that uncaring 'fat cat' privateers or foreign state railways were in control, ramping up fares and creaming off profits which either enriched shareholders or subsidised European rail fares. DfT left train operators to 'take the heat' - which they dutifully did, fearful of speaking up and 'biting the hand that feeds'."
"Despite hopes that the story would dissipate over the August recess, the White House is preparing for Trump to take more heat from Republicans in the weeks ahead."
"I can take the heat, baby, best believe That's the moment I shine"

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

takes the heat (present, singular) taking the heat (participle, present) took the heat (past) taken the heat (participle, past)

Phrases

take the rap

Frequently Paired Words

take the rap

Questions

What does take the heat mean?: To take the blame; to be the focus of anger or scrutiny; to take the consequences.

How to pronounce take the heat

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