hot corner: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Specialist (Sports), Figurative
Quick answer
What does “hot corner” mean?
The third base position in baseball or softball, so called because balls are often hit hard and quickly to that area, requiring fast reflexes from the defensive player.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The third base position in baseball or softball, so called because balls are often hit hard and quickly to that area, requiring fast reflexes from the defensive player.
Any situation, position, or place characterized by high pressure, intense activity, frequent challenges, or where quick decisions are required. Used metaphorically in business, politics, and other fields.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually exclusive to American English due to its origins in baseball. In British contexts, it is understood primarily through cultural exposure to American media or sports. No direct equivalent in cricket terminology.
Connotations
In AmE: Strong sports and competitive connotations. In BrE: Recognised as an Americanism, often used knowingly in business/journalism for its vivid metaphor.
Frequency
High frequency in American sports journalism and commentary; low frequency in UK English outside of contexts discussing US sports or using deliberate American metaphors.
Grammar
How to Use “hot corner” in a Sentence
[Player] + plays/fields/covers + the hot corner[The/This] + hot corner + [requires/demands/gets] + [action][Metaphor: Sector/Department] + is + the hot corner + of + [industry/company]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hot corner” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – primarily a noun compound.
American English
- N/A – primarily a noun compound.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A – noun compound used attributively: 'hot-corner defence', 'hot-corner skills'.
American English
- N/A – noun compound used attributively: 'hot-corner defense', 'hot-corner reflexes'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The mergers and acquisitions department is the hot corner of the bank, dealing with high-stakes deals daily.
Academic
The peer-review process for top journals can be a real hot corner for contentious new theories.
Everyday
During the school fair, the cupcake stall was the hot corner, with kids swarming it constantly.
Technical
In network security, the firewall server is often the hot corner during a DDoS attack.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hot corner”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hot corner”
- Using 'hot corner' to describe a physically warm part of a room (incorrect). Confusing it with 'hotspot' (Wi-Fi). Forgetting it's a count noun: 'a hot corner', 'the hot corner'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is commonly used as a metaphor in business, politics, and other high-pressure contexts to describe a critical or very active position.
It is understood but is distinctly an Americanism. Its use in the UK is mostly figurative, borrowed from US sports terminology.
Because the ball is often hit very hard and fast down the third base line, making it a 'hot' (i.e., speedy, challenging) place to field.
It is a compound noun. It can also be used attributively as a modifier (e.g., 'hot-corner responsibilities').
The third base position in baseball or softball, so called because balls are often hit hard and quickly to that area, requiring fast reflexes from the defensive player.
Hot corner is usually informal, specialist (sports), figurative in register.
Hot corner: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒt ˈkɔː.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːt ˈkɔːr.nɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He was born to play the hot corner.”
- “She's no stranger to the hot corner of the debate.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chef at a busy restaurant corner station, pans sizzling and orders flying in – that's a 'hot corner' in a kitchen, just like in baseball.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SPORTING POSITION OF DANGER/ACTIVITY IS A HOT PLACE / A PRESSURE SITUATION IS A HOT SPOT.
Practice
Quiz
In which sport did the term 'hot corner' originate?