WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2020
ˈhot ˈwa•ter, n. [uncountable]
  • Informal Termsa difficult situation;
    trouble:was in hot water with the police.

  • WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2020
    hot water, [Informal.]
    1. Informal Termstrouble;
      a predicament:His skipping classes will get him into real hot water when exam time comes.
    • 1530–40

    WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2020
    wa•ter /ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ/USA pronunciation   n. 
    1. Chemistry an odorless, tasteless liquid compound of hydrogen and oxygen that makes up rain, oceans, lakes, and rivers:[uncountable]Water is essential to life.
    2. Often,  waters. [plural] water obtained from a mineral spring.
    3. Geographya body of water, such as an ocean: [uncountable]sailing on the water.[countable;  usually plural]the waters of the Atlantic.
    4. waters, [plural] the sea bordering on and controlled by a country.

    1. to sprinkle or drench with water:[+ object]to water the plants.
    2. to fill with or give off water or liquid:[no object]Her eyes watered.
    3. [+ object] to supply (animals) with drinking water.
    4. to weaken or dilute with or as if with water:[~ (+ down) + object]watered down her criticism.
    1. Idiomshold water, to be capable of being defended or proven correct:Your theory doesn't hold water.
    2. in deep or  hot water, in trouble or difficulty.
    3. Idiomskeep one's head above water, to stay out of esp. financial difficulties.
    4. Idiomslike water, freely;
      abundantly:She spent money like water.
    5. Idiomsmake one's mouth water, to cause a desire or appetite for something:a sports car that can make your mouth water.

    WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2020
    4. Geographythe liquid content of a river, inlet, etc., with reference to its relative height, esp. as dependent on tide:a difference of 20 feet between high and low water.
    6. waters: 
      • flowing water, or water moving in waves:The river's mighty waters.
      • the sea or seas bordering a particular country or continent or located in a particular part of the world:We left San Diego and sailed south for Mexican waters.
    7. a liquid solution or preparation, esp. one used for cosmetic purposes:lavender water; lemon water.
    8. Often,  waters. [Med.]
      • amniotic fluid.
      • the bag of waters;
        amnion:Her water broke at 2 a.m.
    9. Chemistryany of various solutions of volatile or gaseous substances in water:ammonia water.
    11. Business[Finance.]fictitious assets or the inflated values they give to the stock of a corporation.
    13. Jewelry(formerly) the degree of transparency and brilliancy of a diamond or other precious stone.
    14. above water, out of embarrassment or trouble, esp. of a financial nature:They had so many medical bills that they could hardly keep their heads above water.
    15. break water: 
      • Medicineto break the amniotic sac prior to parturition.
    16. by water, by ship or boat:to send goods by water.
    17. hold water: 
      • to be logical, defensible, or valid:That accusation won't hold water.
    18. Nauticaldead in the water. See  dead (def. 36).
    19. in deep water, in great distress or difficulty:Their marriage has been in deep water for some time.
    20. in hot water. See  hot water. 
    21. like water, lavishly;
      freely:The champagne flowed like water.
    22. make water: 
      • Nautical(of a boat) to allow water to enter;
      • to urinate.
    23. Nauticaltake water, (of a boat) to allow water to enter through leaks or portholes or over the side.

    1. to sprinkle, moisten, or drench with water:to water the flowers; to water a street.
    2. to supply (animals) with water for drinking.
    4. Geographyto furnish water to (a region), as by streams;

    2. to drink water, as an animal.
    3. Nauticalto take in a supply of water, as a ship:Our ship will water at Savannah.

    1. of or pertaining to water in any way:a water journey.
    2. holding, or designed to hold, water:a water jug.
    3. worked or powered by water:a water turbine.
    5. used in or on water:water skis.
    6. containing or prepared with water, as for hardening or dilution:water mortar.
    7. located or occurring on, in, or by water:water music; water frontage.
    8. residing by or in, or ruling over, water:water people; water deities.
    water•er, n. 
    water•less, adj. 
    water•less•ly, adv. 
    water•less•ness, n. 
    water•like′, adj. 
    • bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English; Old English wæter; cognate with Dutch water, German Wasser; akin to Old Norse vain, Gothic wato, Hittite watar, Greek hýdōr; (verb, verbal) Middle English wateren, Old English wæterian, derivative of the noun, nominal

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