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Region: General | Usage example: He apologized, saying it was said in the heat of the moment.

Heat of the moment

Meaning

Acting during a surge of strong emotion.

Usage

Used to excuse impulsive behavior.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Hot-blooded emotional imagery.

Used in apologies and storytelling for decades.

Related Idioms

Dead heat

An exact tie in a contest.

Take the heat

Accept blame or criticism on behalf of others.

Feel the heat

Experience pressure or scrutiny.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.