hot microphone
Unsuspecting broadcast leak
A hot microphone is one that's actively transmitting or recording, often without the speaker's awareness.
The term appears most often in contexts where someone says something embarrassing or damaging not realizing they're being broadcast: The senator's hot mic caught him cursing at an aide.
Also called a hot mic or live mic.
Act of revealing information
- exposureState of being unprotected
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- unmaskingRevealing what's hidden
- uncoveringRevealing something hidden
divulgence · confession · admission · outing · overheard · eavesdrop · intercept · inadvertent
Foolish, costly mistake
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- blooperEmbarrassing recorded mistake
- flubClumsy error
clanger · mistake · misstep · embarrassment · mortification · red-faced · awkwardness · fumble
Hidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- spyingSecretly observing others
- interceptSeize en route
covert · clandestine · monitoring · recording · privacy · confidentiality · secrecy · undercover
Currently being broadcast
- liveTo exist or dwell
- studioCreative professional's workspace
- newsroomMedia gathering hub
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
reporter · interview · soundcheck · audio · feed · transmission · telecast · commentary
disclosure
Act of revealing information
- exposureState of being unprotected
- revelationSurprising disclosed truth
- unmaskingRevealing what's hidden
uncovering · divulgence · confession · admission · outing · overheard · eavesdrop · intercept · inadvertent · unintentional
blunder
Foolish, costly mistake
- faux pasSocial misstep or indiscretion
- slip-upSmall unintended error
- blooperEmbarrassing recorded mistake
flub · clanger · mistake · misstep · embarrassment · mortification · red-faced · awkwardness · fumble · botch
wiretap
Hidden listening device
- buggingSecretly recording conversations
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
- spyingSecretly observing others
intercept · covert · clandestine · monitoring · recording · privacy · confidentiality · secrecy · undercover · snoop
on-air
Currently being broadcast
anchor · reporter · interview · soundcheck · audio · feed · transmission · telecast · commentary · press-conference