in the heat of

in the heat of (something)

During a time of extreme action, emotion, or agitation. Soldiers have to train themselves not to feel fear in the heat of battle. Many nasty, incendiary remarks were made in the heat of the debate. In the heat of the moment, I completely forgot to ask my question.
See also: heat, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

in the heat of

In the most intense or active stage of some activity or condition. For example, One never knows how soldiers will behave in the heat of battle, or In the heat of the moment she accepted his proposal, or In the heat of the negotiations he forgot to call his wife. [Late 1500s]
See also: heat, of
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • in the heat of (something)
  • enthusiasm
  • fire (one) with (an emotion)
  • fire with anger
  • into orbit
  • scuzzbag
  • scuzzbucket
  • scuzzo
  • in the heat of the moment
References in periodicals archive
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.
No fan apology from Pearson after row
Tall and sunburned, with the thick features of an ex-jock and a vestigial drawl from his Louisiana childhood, Autry played guys named Whitey and Bubba on shows like "Hunter," "The Dukes of Hazzard," and "In the Heat of the Night" A few weeks before, be had made the national news by declaring immigration policy the focus of his second term in office.
Shift work: should policing illegal immigration fall to nurses and teachers?