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.

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.

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

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
See also:
  • bring somebody/come down to earth
  • bring (one) down to earth
  • bring down to earth
  • gung
  • gung ho
  • gung-ho
  • bring (one) back to reality
  • bring back to reality
  • wonk
  • get carried away with (someone or something)
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.
Moon's aide told Kim Jong-un to stop smoking, got away
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."
Foxes boss accepts fan row charge
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
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.
Hiding behind the 'heat' myth
After leaving the hearing, O'Connell said: "I know that in the heat of the moment I made a mistake.
O'Connell gets 20-day ban for whip offences