pursuit or investigation by the police:The criminals tried to get out of town because the heat was on.
the police:Let's scram; here comes the heat!
intense pressure:The heat is on now to find a replacement.
blame:Who will take the heat for this mistake?
Sport[countable] a single division of a contest, esp. a race in which competitors qualify for entry in the final race or contest.
v.
to (cause to) become hot or warm: [no object; (~ + up)]The house is heating up in the sun.[~ + object]Heat the milk and let's have some cocoa.[~ + up + object]The sun is heating up the house.[~ + object + up]Heat the soup up.
heat up, to (cause to) become more active, intense, or excited: [no object]The situation is heating up again.[~ + up + object]This crisis is bound to heat up the dispute.[~ + object + up]The terrorist attack heated things up again.
Idioms
Zoologyin heat, in the period of time or state in which the female of certain mammals can mate or conceive young:to be in heat.
the state of a body perceived as having or generating a relatively high degree of warmth.
the condition or quality of being hot:the heat of an oven.
the degree of hotness; temperature:moderate heat.
the sensation of warmth or hotness:unpleasant heat.
a bodily temperature higher than normal:the heat of a fever; the feeling of heat caused by physical exertion.
Physicsadded or external energy that causes a rise in temperature, expansion, evaporation, or other physical change.
Physicsa nonmechanical energy transfer with reference to a temperature difference between a system and its surroundings or between two parts of the same system. Symbol: Q
a hot condition of the atmosphere or physical environment; hot season or weather.
a period of hot weather.
Fooda sharp, pungent flavor, as that produced by strong spices.
warmth or intensity of feeling; vehemence; passion:He spoke with much heat and at great length.
maximum intensity in an activity, condition, etc.; the height of any action, situation, or the like:the heat of battle; the heat of passion.
extreme pressure, as of events, resulting in tension or strain:In the heat of his hasty departure he forgot his keys.
a single intense effort; a sustained, concentrated, and continuous operation:The painting was finished at a heat.
Slang Termsintensified pressure, esp. in a police investigation.
Slang Termsthe police.
Slang Termsarmed protection, esp. a pistol, revolver, or other firearm:All guards carry some heat.
Sport
a single course in or division of a race or other contest.
a race or other contest in which competitors attempt to qualify for entry in the final race or contest.
Metallurgy
a single operation of heating, as of metal in a furnace, in the treating and melting of metals.
a quantity of metal produced by such an operation.
Zoology
sexual receptiveness in animals, esp. females.
the period or duration of such receptiveness:to be in heat.
v.t.
to make hot or warm (often fol. by up).
to excite emotionally; inflame or rouse with passion.
v.i.
to become hot or warm (often fol. by up).
to become excited emotionally.
heat up, to increase or become more active or intense:Business competition will heat up toward the end of the year.
bef. 900; Middle English hete, Old English hǣtu; akin to German Hitze; see hot