hot seat

noun4

1. •
   The real or figurative seat occupied by a game show contestant at a stage where they are answering questions alone.
2. •
   (figurative) Any stressful situation; a situation in which one is the center of attention or vulnerable to attack or criticism; a position of unease or embarrassment.

   • Now just a minute. You turn up out of nowhere, a routine space shot goes wrong, a new planet appears and you tell us you know all about it. That puts you slap bang in the hot seat, right? — 1966
3. •
   [before a noun] A multiplayer game mode in which players take turns playing the game.

   • In addition to traditional LAN play and online modes, there's […] a hot seat mode in which multiple players take their turns on the same computer […]. — 2008
4. •
   (slang) The electric chair.

   • Looks like you for the hot seat, kid. Come along, both of you. — 1932