in the heat of the moment

in the heat of the moment

At a moment when one is overly angry, excited, or eager, without pausing to consider the consequences. The argument got pretty nasty, and, in the heat of the moment, we both said some things we really regret. Parties with large crowds can sometimes get out of hand, with people doing stupid things in the heat of the moment.
See also: heat, moment, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

in the heat of the moment

COMMON If you do or say something in the heat of the moment, you do it without thinking, because you are angry or excited. We all do things in the heat of the moment which we then regret. He said that his comments were made in the heat of the moment and were not supposed to be a personal attack.
See also: heat, moment, of
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

in the heat of the moment

while temporarily angry, excited, or engrossed, and without stopping for thought.
See also: heat, moment, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

in the ˌheat of the ˈmoment

while in a state of strong emotion or excitement: I must apologize for the rude things I said yesterday in the heat of the moment.
See also: heat, moment, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
Although the paper did not mention it, it is possible that Chung, 71, was caught in the heat of the moment and made the suggestion to the dictator half his age.
Pearson said in the wake of the incident: "I have had run-ins with fans in the past and in the heat of the moment these things happen and there won't be any apology."
Pearson said on Friday: "I have had run-ins with fans in the past and in the heat of the moment, these things happen and there won't be any apology.
THE excuse that inappropriate actions on the field of play can be glossed over by the phrase 'it was in the heat of the moment' really should not cut any ice.