hot under the collar Definition

collar
noun

1a. A band or flap of any of various shapes, folded over or standing up round the neck of a garment;
1b. The neck of a garment generally.
2. Something worn round the neck.
3. A band of leather, etc worn round the neck by an animal, especially a dog.
4. A padded leather device, fitted round a horse's neck, to ease the strain of pulling a vehicle.
5. A distinctively coloured ring of fur or feathers round the neck of certain mammals and birds.
6. A cut of meat, especially bacon, from the neck of an animal.
7. A ring-shaped fitting for joining two pipes, etc together.
8. Any collar-like part.

verb collared, collaring

1. To seize something by the collar.
2. colloq
To catch or capture someone or something.
Thesaurus: seize, apprehend, catch, arrest, capture, grab, nab.
3. colloq
To grab something for oneself.

Derivative: collared
adj

Derivative: collarless
noun

Idiom: to have one's collar felt

slang
To be arrested.

Idiom: hot under the collar

colloq
Angry or flustered.

Etymology: 13c: from French colier, from Latin collum neck.

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hot
adj hotter, hottest

1. Having or producing a great deal of heat; having a high temperature.

Thesaurus: heated, torrid, burning, fiery, blazing, feverish, scorching, blistering, searing, tropical, scalding; Antonym: cold, chilly, frigid.
2. Having a higher temperature than is normal or desirable.
3. Said of food: spicy or fiery.
4. Easily made angry; excitable or passionate.

Example: a hot temper
Thesaurus: eager, ardent, distracted, passionate; aroused, furious, indignant, irascible; Antonym: calm.
5. slang
Sexually excited or lustful.
Thesaurus: erotic, sexy, carnal, salacious, sensual, spicy, voluptuous.
6. Said of a contest or fight: intense and animated.
7. Said of news: recent, fresh and of particular interest.
8. Strongly favoured.

Example: a hot favourite
9. Said of jazz music: having strong and exciting rhythms, with complex improvisations.
10. Said of a colour: bright and fiery.
11. slang
Said of goods: recently stolen or illegally acquired.
12. Said of a scent in hunting: fresh and strong, suggesting the quarry is not far ahead.
13. slang
Said of information: up-to-date and reliable.
Example: a hot tip
14. colloq
Said of a situation: difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous.
Example: make life hot for him
15. slang
Highly radioactive.
16. In certain games, etc: very close to guessing the answer or finding the person or thing sought.

adverb

1. In a hot way; hotly.

Example: a dish served hot

Derivative: hotly

With great heat.

Excitedly or passionately.

Idiom: go like hot cakes (sell like hot cakes)

To sell or disappear rapidly; to be extremely popular.

Idiom: have the hots for someone (get the hots for someone)

slang
To have a strong sexual desire or attraction for them.

Idiom: hot and bothered

colloq
Anxious and confused; agitated.

Idiom: hot on something

Interested in, skilled at or well-informed about it.

Idiom: hot on the heels of someone

colloq
Following or pursuing them closely.

Idiom: hot under the collar

colloq
Indignant or annoyed; uncomfortable.

Idiom: in hot pursuit

Chasing as fast or as closely as one can.

Derivative: hotness
noun

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon hat.

Phrasal Verb: hot up or hot something up

To increase in excitement, energy, danger, etc.