on the hot seat

in/on the hot seat

In a position in which one must face intense questioning, criticism, punishment, or scrutiny. The director will be in the hot seat today when he's called before the congressional committee to answer for the recent scandal. You can bet you'll be on the hot seat if the boss gets wind of this.
See also: hot, on, seat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the hot seat

 and in the hot seat
Fig. in a difficult position; subject to much attention or criticism. I was really in the hot seat for a while. No w that John is on the hot seat, no one is paying any attention to what I do.
See also: hot, on, seat
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

on the hot seat

phr. in a situation where one is being scrutinized or asked questions. (see also hot seat.) I was on the hot seat for about an hour, but they didn’t learn anything from me.
See also: hot, on, seat
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • 3rd
  • the third degree
  • third degree
  • put (one) in the dock
  • put somebody in the dock
  • be under a microscope
  • be under the microscope
  • microscope
  • under a microscope
  • under the microscope