hot potato
复数形式
hot potatoes
1
烫手山芋, 棘手的问题
a difficult or controversial issue or topic that is uncomfortable or risky to handle
The idiom "hot potato" originated from the literal situation of a potato being hot and difficult to handle. It has evolved to describe any controversial, sensitive, or challenging issue or topic that is passed or transferred quickly from one person or group to another due to its complexity or potential for difficulty. The phrase is commonly used to emphasize the uncomfortable nature of dealing with a particular matter, often highlighting the desire of individuals or entities to avoid responsibility for it.
- The scandal surrounding the company's financial practices became a hot potato that no executive wanted to address directly.
围绕公司财务做法的丑闻成了一块没人愿意直接处理的烫手山芋。
- The controversial policy decision turned into a hot potato as various political figures distanced themselves from it.
这项有争议的政策决定变成了一个烫手山芋，因为各种政治人物都与之保持距离。
- When the team realized the magnitude of the project's challenges, it became a hot potato, with everyone trying to shift responsibility to someone else.
当团队意识到项目挑战的严重性时，它就成了一个烫手山芋，每个人都试图把责任推给别人。
- The budget deficit issue has become a hot potato in the government, as officials are reluctant to propose unpopular measures to address it.
预算赤字问题已成为政府中的烫手山芋，因为官员们不愿提出不受欢迎的措施来解决它。
- The employee's misconduct allegation turned into a hot potato for the HR department, requiring careful handling to avoid legal repercussions.
员工的不当行为指控成为了人力资源部门的一个烫手山芋，需要谨慎处理以避免法律后果。