Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. difficulties, problems; usu. as in hot water.

1537		Lisle Papers XI. 100 (P.R.O.): If they be to be had, I will have of them, or it shall cost me hot water [OED].
c.1673		‘The Faithful Lover’s Farewell’ in Ebsworth Roxburghe Ballads (1891) VII:2 545: The Dutch-man was ever a Traitor against their Soveraign; / We will make it cost him hott water e’re I come ashore againe.
1787		A. Shirrefs Jamie and Bess vi: Tho’ ye fud deave me wi’ your clatter, / Thinking to keep me in het water.
1796		Sporting Mag. Mar. VII 341/2: Experience for had taught her, / That youthful blood at sixty-five / Keeps women in hot water.
1805		J. Reynolds Blind Bargain I iii: What! more hot water! meddle between man and wife!
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1828		J. Thomson An Uncle Too Many I i: Another blockhead that wants to get into hot water?
1839		T. Haliburton Letter-bag of the Great Western (1873) 124: Dat is beating de English into de head wid de devil to it likewise. It keeps me in de boiling watare all de time.
1839		Maumee City Exp. (OH) 23 Mar. 2/2: A few neigborly ‘how d’ye do’s’ seem to have soused you clear to the gills in hot water.
1848		‘Ned Buntline’ Mysteries and Miseries of N.Y. III 67: We may get ourself into ‘hot water’ by alluding thus carelessly to this august set.
1864		M. Lemon Jest Book 238: Show me the blade that is not out of temper when plunged into hot water.
1880		Bulletin (Sydney) 14 Feb. 2/1: [H]aving got himself lately into hot water, [he] was desirous of having the consequent coolness of his freezing friends thawed by the genial gastronomy of a good guzzle.
1886		Nat. Police Gaz. (NY) 12 June 14/2: Dave Sullivan Is getting in hot water in the International League, as he has the clubs and players against him as well as the mob.
1896		in Boston Traveler 2 Oct. in Stallman (1966) 231: Stevie Crane seems to have gotten into warm water by his valiant defence of a young woman in police court.
1898		W. Pett Ridge Mord Em’ly 98: Property often does make a lot of ’ot water, as we all know.
1905		Sporting Times 4 Feb. 1/2: It’s only a bit more of his ‘kid’. He wants to give them the idea that he’s in hot water.
1914		‘Ian Hay’ Lighter Side of School Life 201: You seem to have been getting into hot water all round.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 600: And then the usual dénoument after the fun had gone on fast and furious he got landed in hot water.
1928		R. Fisher Walls Of Jericho 8: When they git in hot water they all come cryin’ to you and me fo’ help.
1937		D. Fuchs Low Company 10: I know many a guy today who’s in hot water just because he was too nosey about other people’s affairs.
1941		B. Schulberg What Makes Sammy Run? (1992) 246: If your last few pictures are lemons, you’re in hot water.
1950		(con. 1936–46) K.S. Prichard Winged Seeds (1984) 170: The young ladies’ll get into hot water if they go round with Bill Gough.
1960		C. Cooper Jr Scene (1996) 225: You keep that trap of yours going and you’re going to be in real hot water.
1987		M. Bail Holden’s Performance (1989) 310: I soon found myself in hot water.
1999		Guardian 23 July 6: Caribbean jaunt landed MPs in hot water.
2001		N. Green Shooting Dr. Jack (2002) 139: You carry a piece, you’ll be in hot water before the week is out.
2009		Star Trib. (Minneapolis, MN) 20 Apr. A6/4: ‘I’m just trying to make sure I ain’t in no water, man [...] I ain’t did shit’.

2. (US) in a restaurant, a cup of tea; also attrib.

1821		R. Waln Hermit in America on Visit to Phila. 2nd series 27: ‘A frequenter of hot-water conventicles’—‘A drinker of scandal-broth’.
1888		N.Y. Herald 1 Apr. 9/6: During his stay in the restaurant the reporter learned several things he never knew [...] That ‘hot water’ meant tea.

3. see hot air n. (1)