What does 'in the hot seat' mean?

Answer 1

In the UK it is "IN the hot seat". And in the UK police - in fact and fiction - do not shine bright lights in suspects' eyes. Perhaps the idea has more to do with Hollywood than reality.

Some cars had the petrol tank under the driver's seat, a very possible "hot seat" if it caught fire. And early aircraft - with the engine immediately in front of the pilot - might well have made it uncomfortably hot for the pilot.

Of course, the "hot" part could have been purely figurative - in the way "hot" is used today to mean fashionable, up-to-date, 'with it', etc. Think of 'hot pants' which were also 'cool'.

Answer 2

There is some debate about the origin. The most common consensus is that it's probably referring to the practice of police shining a hot, bright light on a suspect during questioning, to make them uncomfortable.

Answer 3

To be in stress or discomfort.