get a bit hot under the collar

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. get a bit hot under the collar meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "get a bit hot under the collar"

Meaning

The idiom “get a bit hot under the collar” is a phrase used to describe a person’s feeling of frustration, anger, or annoyance. This phrase is typically used to describe when an individual is feeling intense emotions due to an uncomfortable or controversial situation. The phrase may also be used to refer to someone who is feeling embarrassed or flustered.

Etymology

The phrase “get a bit hot under the collar” dates back to the 1800s when Charles Dickens used the phrase in his novel “Little Dorrit”: “Rich people who snubbed him made our friend Mr. Meagles a trifle hot under the collar.” The phrase is thought to have originated from the idea of a man’s stiff buttoned collar beginning to feel uncomfortable when someone is feeling angry or embarrassed. The phrase was further popularized in the early 1900s when it began being used more frequently in literature, films, and newspapers. The phrase is still commonly used today, often to describe someone who is feeling angry or frustrated.

Usage

The phrase “get a bit hot under the collar” is typically used to describe when an individual is feeling uncomfortable or frustrated due to a tense situation. This phrase can be used to describe both literal and figurative contexts. For example, someone may literally be feeling hot under the collar if they are wearing a tight fitting shirt collar, or they may be figuratively feeling hot under the collar if they are feeling annoyed or frustrated. The phrase may also be used to describe when someone is feeling embarrassed or flustered due to an awkward or embarrassing situation.

Example Sentences

• John got a bit hot under the collar when his boss asked him to work overtime.
• The jury got a bit hot under the collar when the attorney asked them to review the evidence again.
• He was so embarrassed that he got a bit hot under the collar when the room went silent.

The power of idioms transcends languages!

"Putting the cart before the horse" is an English idiom that means doing things in the wrong order. In Russian, the similar idiom is "Кладёт колесо впереди лошади," which translates to "Putting the cart before the horse." This idiom emphasizes the idea that doing things in the wrong order can lead to confusion and problems down the line.