hot up
B2 informal intransitive
In simple words
When a situation gets more exciting or dangerous, it 'hots up'.
Literal meaning: To become hot — the temperature rises; used figuratively.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
For a situation, competition, or conflict to become more intense or exciting.
"The election campaign is really hotting up as polling day approaches."
"Things are hotting up in the Premier League title race."
— BBC Sport (recurring phrasing in match reporting, widely attested)
2 B1 informal
For the weather to become hotter, especially during a prolonged warm period.
"The summer is really hotting up — it's been over 35 degrees all week."
Usage notes
Chiefly British English. Frequently used in news and sports reporting. Not common in American English, where 'heat up' is preferred. Often used to describe competitions, politics, weather, or conflict intensifying.
Commonly used with
competition race campaign debate conflict contest
Forms
Base
hot up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
hots up
he/she/it
Past simple
hoted up
yesterday
Past participle
hoted up
have + pp
-ing form
hoting up
continuous
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Synonyms
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