hot topic
- noun
- /hɑt ˈtɑpɪk/
- The new education policy is a hot topic among teachers and parents alike.
- become a hot topic
- current hot topic
- hot topic of conversation
CTE, which became a hot topic, was known only in boxers.
- CTE, which became a hot topic, was known only in boxers.
- So seed oils, for example, is a really hot topic and there's influencers everywhere.
- So cheating and infidelity is a very hot topic, all right.
- So I feel like nowadays protein is the hot topic.
- I know you as well, but abortion has been a hot topic, right?
- And you know, this, this whole thing of gender roles has become like this hot topic for some reason.
- I love hearing about trends and hot topics.
- I always thought that don't ever like state your opinion on hot topics because you're just asking for it at that point.
- So this is not just a hot topic, it is the most important problem we'll ever face.
Examples
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Microelectromechanical systems have been one of the hot topics of the engineering world for years now.
Academic text (2005) -
The study of insect immunity has become a hot topic in immunology.
Academic text (2003) -
It's a very hot topic and for very good reasons.
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I mean, I think it is a hot topic right now for sure.
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This is a hot topic right now across all the whole country.
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So this is not just a hot topic, it is the most important problem we'll ever face.
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As I noted in my introduction, "agency" has become a hot topic in social theory.
Academic text (2001) -
Teacher evaluation is a current hot topic within music education.
Academic text (2014) -
Document retention policies have become a hot topic for the legal community.
Academic text (2003) -
Student-centered instruction has been a hot topic in education for some time, but what does it really mean?
Academic text (2008)
Synonyms
An issue that makes people feel very strongly and leads to angry debate
A subject people talk about in a conversation
A subject people often argue about
Antonyms
How Discussed
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a subject that generates a lot of discussion or is currently important' is directly derivable from combining 'hot' (figuratively: trending, emotionally charged, or timely) with 'topic' (subject). This compositional metaphor—using 'hot' to mark popularity/controversy—is common cross-linguistically and follows a straightforward logic that a B1 learner who knows both words is likely to understand.
Etymology
The phrase hot topic may come from the idea of a topic being very hot, like something that makes people react quickly or start a 'heated' talk. That's why a hot topic is a subject that gets a lot of attention or debate.