The term 'in hot water' is an idiom that means to be in trouble or a difficult situation. The crossword solutions for this term are STEEPED (7 letters), UPATREE (7 letters), OUTONALIMB (10 letters), UPTHECREEK (10 letters), OVERABARREL (11 letters), and UNDERTHEGUN (11 letters). All of these solutions are metaphors for being in a difficult situation, with the implication that one is in danger of being punished or reprimanded.