hot seats
Scrutiny's uncomfortable chairs
Hot seats are positions of intense scrutiny, pressure, or accountability.
Someone in the hot seat faces tough questions or bears responsibility for difficult decisions: The CEO was in the hot seat after the scandal broke.
The term derives from the electric chair, and retains connotations of being trapped under harsh examination.
In gaming and quizzes, a hot seat is where contestants sit to answer questions or where players take turns at a single computer.
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- public scrutinyWidespread critical attention
- hotseatPosition of high pressure
- in the spotlightReceiving public attention
- challengeTest of ability
intensity · stress · accountability · interviews · game show · firing line · responsibility · probes · electric chair · examinations · chairs · theatres · pressure · performance · expectation · grilling · interrogation · burning question
hot seatscomfort zones
Psychological areas of ease
safe havens · safe seats · easy chairs · sinecures · sidelines
hot seatspardons
Official forgiveness of crimes
reprieves · commutations · acquittals · freedom · release
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