put the heat on (someone)

1. to try to force or persuade someone to do something.

Environmental groups are putting the heat on the government to stop pollution from power stations. (usually + to do something)

2. if you put the heat on someone who is competing with you, you start to do well so they have to work harder or play better.

The Dodgers have won three games in a row and are starting to put the heat on the Mets.

• make an ass of yourself
• make an example of
• make an example of someone
• make an exhibition of
• make an exhibition of yourself
• make an honest woman of
• make an honest woman of someone
• make a night of it
• make a noise about
• make a noise about something
• make a ... of it
• make a pass at
• make a pass at someone
• make a pig of
• make a pig of yourself
• make a pig's ear of
• make a pig's ear of doing something
• make a pig's ear of something
• make a pitch for
• make a pitch for something
• make a play for
• make a play for someone
• make a play for something
• make a point of
• make a point of doing something