in the heat of the moment
7
6.1
- idiom
- Informal
:
en el calor del momento
- The reality is that most people don't plan to be mean or insensitive; it just happens in the heat of the moment without them realizing the impact on others.
- say things in the heat of the moment
- said in the heat of the moment
- made that decision in the heat of the moment
Some people might call them out in the heat of the moment and in the midst of the frustration of the narcissistic relationship.
- Some people might call them out in the heat of the moment and in the midst of the frustration of the narcissistic relationship.
- And probably not right away when it's in the heat of the moment, but it's important at the same time that we both voice our standards and our boundaries.
Examples
-
I'm very sorry for any remarks that were made in the heat of the moment.
-
However, I can also see the logic in the fact that completing a ride does have an impact on how a judge drops a score, especially in the heat of the moment when emotions run high.
Blog text (8) -
Some things are said in the heat of the moment.
-
Last night things were said in the heat of the moment... ...and I may have hurt your feelings.
-
" It's easy to say now, but in the heat of the moment, we lost control.
Blog text (7) -
It's all about being able to control yourself in the heat of the moment.
Blog text (20) -
In the heat of the moment, I said some things.
-
In the heat of the moment, all players are going to think about is the play at hand.
Blog text (10) -
"I just got kind of caught up in the heat of the moment, and at the end of the day, you can never touch the officials.
Blog text (4) -
In the heat of the moment, I shouted things I didn't mean.
Synonyms
27
4.1
In a strong, angry, or excited way
22
4.9
During a very emotional moment when people act without thinking
19
4.3
To feel sudden strong fear and act without thinking
13
5.1
In a way that shows very fast, nervous energy because of strong excitement or worry
12
5.5
A sudden decision made without thinking
12
5.1
Act quickly because you suddenly want to, without thinking first
6
4.4
To act suddenly without planning or thinking
3
5.1
In a way that shows strong feelings, often anger
1
5.6
A time when excitement or tension is very high
1
7.6
Act with very strong, urgent energy and full focus
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
in + the + heat + of + the + moment
The phrase combines 'heat' (intensity/excitement) and 'moment' (a short time), so a learner can infer it refers to something happening during a period of strong feeling. However, the metaphorical use of 'heat' to signal impulsive action is not fully predictable from the literal meanings and typically requires some exposure or cross-linguistic intuition, making the expression only partially transparent.
Etymology
In the heat of the moment may come from the image of heat as strong feeling and a short moment when everything feels urgent and intense. So, it means someone did something while 'feeling strong emotions' and often 'not thinking clearly'.