hot mic

or hot mike

[ hot mahyk ]

noun

, Informal.

1. a microphone that is actively recording or broadcasting, especially if it captures a comment or conversation that the speaker or speakers believed to be private (often used attributively): The reporter was suspended after her profanity was caught on a hot mic.

   The techs should limit the number of hot mics to reduce acoustic feedback.

   The reporter was suspended after her profanity was caught on a hot mic.

   Their hot mic scheming confirmed the conspiracy theories.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hot mic¹

1930–35; hot (in the sense “actively conducting an electric current”) + mic “microphone”

Example Sentences

She was infamously caught on a hot mic asking “who gives a f*ck” about Christmas decorations in the White House.

From Salon

No sooner than the plan had been announced, it was eclipsed by a "hot mic" moment.

From BBC

But let’s face it, when you’re Trump, every day is a hot mic day.

From Los Angeles Times

Donald Trump debate on ABC, Harris’ campaign is still pushing for a return to debate normalcy with microphone rules, while Trump’s campaign seeks to shield him from a hot mic moment, despite his wishes.

From Salon

Trump has publicly said that un-muting the microphones “doesn’t matter” to him, and the Harris campaign has pushed for the mics to be left on, with some hoping to catch Trump in a “hot mic” attack on the candidate.

From Salon