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turn up the heat

Meaning: To make a situation more intense, uncomfortable, or urgent.

Language: English

Literally: (Already vivid in English)

Category: Nature

Origin: A literal image of increasing the flame on a stove or fire, applied metaphorically to escalating pressure, activity, or discomfort.

More idioms — Nature

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  • plow the sands — To expend great effort on something completely futile or worthless.
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  • stumbling block — An obstacle or barrier that impedes progress or causes difficulty.

More English idioms

  • green fingers — A natural talent for growing plants successfully.
  • on blast — Being publicly shamed or criticized, especially on social media.
  • train wreck — A spectacular, inevitable disaster that is witnessed by many people.
  • rock the boat — To disrupt the status quo or challenge established conventions and rules.
  • body English — Subtle body movements a person makes to coax a moving object toward a desired direction,…
  • above the salt — Of high social rank, importance, or honor.

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