hot line

Idioms and Phrases

A telephone line that gives quick and direct access to a source of information or help. For example, Our state has an AIDS hot line in every county . This term was originally (and is still) used for a direct link between heads of government for use during a crisis, but was quickly extended to wider applications. [1950s]

Example Sentences

At the Camp David summit in August, leaders of Japan, South Korea and the United States agreed to carry out annual, multi-domain trilateral exercises and set up a hot line for crisis communications.

From Reuters

A lot of calls have been from farmworkers concerned about losing work because of the rain, said Ariana Borroel, who oversees the hot line.

From Los Angeles Times

Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell said the leaders would announce plans to make the summit an annual event and to invest in technology for a three-way crisis hot line.

From Reuters

Bob Ross Inc., which sells licensed products, runs the instructor program and generally handles Ross’ legacy, receives around 100 calls each day on its hot line.

From Los Angeles Times

"It was very odd because I felt like my feet were still there and it felt like there was a red hot line across my shins."

From BBC