HOT POTATO

A hot potato is a difficult issue or problem that no one is keen to deal with or discuss.

 e.g. “A second referendum on Brexit is the hot potato of British politics.”

 This phrase apparently dates from the 1800s and originates from a longer phrase, “to drop something/someone like a hot potato.” It refers to the tendency of hot potatoes to retain heat, making them likely to burn if held for too long. [1]

 e.g. “The idea was dropped like a hot potato when the City kicked up a stink.”

[1] “hot potato.” In The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms, by Christine Ammer. 2nd ed. Houghton Mifflin, 2013.

Photo credit: Martin Cathrae