hot line

noun

a direct telecommunications link, as a telephone line or Teletype circuit, enabling immediate communication between heads of state in an international crisis: the hot line between Washington and Moscow.
a telephone service enabling people to talk confidentially with someone about a personal problem or crisis.
a telephone line providing customers or clients with direct access to a company or professional service.
Also hotline.

Origin of hot line

First recorded in 1950–55

Words nearby hot line

hot flush, hot jupiter, hot key, hot lick, hot light, hot line, hot link, hot mess, hot metal, hot mic, hot money

Idioms and Phrases with hot line

hot line

A telephone line that gives quick and direct access to a source of information or help. For example, Our state has an AIDS hot line in every county. This term was originally (and is still) used for a direct link between heads of government for use during a crisis, but was quickly extended to wider applications. [1950s]