hot take: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1informal, journalistic, slang
Quick answer
What does “hot take” mean?
A quickly produced, deliberately provocative, and often superficial opinion or reaction, especially on a current event or trending topic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A quickly produced, deliberately provocative, and often superficial opinion or reaction, especially on a current event or trending topic.
A commentary that prioritises speed and attention-grabbing potential over nuance, research, or careful analysis, typically shared on social media, blogs, or pundit shows.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term originated in and is predominantly used in American sports and political journalism, but is now fully established in UK media and online discourse.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to its origins, but very common in UK digital/social media contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “hot take” in a Sentence
[Person/Outlet] + gave/offered + a hot take + on + [Topic]That's + just + [Possessive] + hot take + on + [Topic]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hot take” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He's known for his hot-take journalism on the royal family.
- The panel descended into hot-take chaos.
American English
- She's a hot-take pundit on cable news.
- The website is a hot-take mill.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used cynically about a rushed market analysis or a bold, unsubstantiated prediction.
Academic
Very rare and pejorative; used to dismiss an underdeveloped argument in informal discussion.
Everyday
Common in discussions about news, politics, sports, or celebrity gossip, especially online.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hot take”
- Using it to mean simply a 'good take' or 'insightful opinion'. The term is inherently critical. Mistaking it for a literal 'hot takeaway' (food).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Extremely rarely. The term is almost exclusively used to criticise an opinion as rash or unoriginal. If someone says "That's a hot take" sarcastically, they mean it's a bad take.
No, it is informal and originates from journalism and internet slang. It would be inappropriate in formal academic or official documents.
There is no difference in the word itself; the context defines it. The phrase is its own fixed lexical unit.
It originated in American sports journalism in the early 2000s, referring to the immediate, passionate commentary required from pundits right after a game. It spread to political and cultural commentary with the rise of 24-hour news and social media.
A quickly produced, deliberately provocative, and often superficial opinion or reaction, especially on a current event or trending topic.
Hot take: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɒt ˈteɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhɑːt ˈteɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “That's a hot take”
- “Hot take factory”
- “Hot take artist”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a hot potato (a controversial topic) that someone quickly 'takes' (grabs) and immediately throws out an opinion before it burns them (before they've thought it through).
Conceptual Metaphor
OPINIONS ARE OBJECTS (that can be 'hot' - current/controversial, and 'taken' - grabbed/produced).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of the term 'hot take'?