hotter than a pistol
1
9.9
- idiom
- Archaic
:
intenso
- 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
108
1.6
Full of strong activity and excitement
64
3.5
Full of strong, often angry feelings
9
7.5
Very hot in a way that feels uncomfortable
3
3.4
Very hot and making a hissing sound
3
4.0
Full of strong feeling or interest
3
5.8
Very strong feeling or energy that shows great passion and draws attention
2
5.8
Extremely hot, like strong sun that can burn skin
1
3.4
Feels very hot, like you are inside an oven
A discussion full of strong feelings and anger
Very hot and able to burn skin
Very hot, with high temperature or strong spice
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'.