Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

drop something or someone like a hot potato

idiom

/drɒp ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɔr ˈsʌmwʌn laɪk ə hɒt pəˈteɪtoʊ/

Definition

To suddenly stop supporting something or someone, especially when it is problematic or dangerous.

Examples

After the scandal broke, the company dropped the CEO like a hot potato.
Many politicians drop controversial issues like a hot potato when election season comes around.

Meaning

This idiom expresses the idea of quickly abandoning a situation or person when it becomes too difficult or risky to handle, similar to how one would quickly drop a hot potato due to its heat.