hotter than a pistol
1
9.9
- idiom
- Archaic
- In the final minutes of the game, the atmosphere was hotter than a pistol as both teams fought for victory.
Examples
-
It was hotter than a pistol.
Fiction book (1994) -
The competition was hotter than a pistol, with everyone giving their best effort.
-
During the summer, the weather felt hotter than a pistol, making it difficult to stay outside.
Synonyms
580
1.6
Full of strong activity and excitement
106
4.2
A discussion full of strong feelings and anger
41
3.5
Full of strong, often angry feelings
11
3.7
Very hot and able to burn skin
11
5.8
Very strong feeling or energy that shows great passion and draws attention
9
7.5
Very hot in a way that feels uncomfortable
8
5.8
Extremely hot, like strong sun that can burn skin
6
4.0
Full of strong feeling or interest
5
3.4
Very hot and making a hissing sound
1
3.4
Feels very hot, like you are inside an oven
1
8.4
Very hot, with high temperature or strong spice
1
5.5
Extremely hot, with a temperature much higher than normal
Antonyms
How Intense
Surface Forms
Morphology
The comparative structure 'hotter than ...' makes it clear to a B1 learner that this is an intensifying simile, so they can infer a meaning of ‘very hot’ or ‘very intense’. However, the use of 'pistol' as the comparison is metaphorical and regionally idiomatic, so the specific choice and nuance (temperature vs intensity/attractiveness) are not predictable from the parts alone without prior exposure.
Etymology
The phrase hotter than a pistol may come from the image of a gun whose metal becomes very hot after it is fired, so being hotter than a pistol suggests extra heat, energy, or excitement. So, the saying now means 'very intense, active, or exciting'.