Expression: in the hot seat

[Haihao]

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #19 "Hot expressions", question 8

In order to provide training for the staff in the department everyone had to do a turn in the hot seat.

(a) experience responsibility
(b) experience pleasure
(c) experience hard work
(d) experience boredom

English Idioms and Expressions, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #19 "Hot expressions", answer 8

In order to provide training for the staff in the department everyone had to experience responsibility.

Correct answer: (a) experience responsibility

Your answer was: incorrect
In order to provide training for the staff in the department everyone had to experience hard work.
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Hi,

I thought 'in/on the hot seat' had a sense of 'put in a difficult situation' so I felt 'experience hard work' would be better in the context. Could you explain it for me?

haihao

[Alan]

Hi,

Occupying the 'hot seat' may well involve hard work as part of the experience but the main emphasis is on the pressure and responsibility associated with occupying that seat.

A
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