hot under the collar adjective2 •Angry; agitated."Oh, cut it," said Steve wearily. " . . . I don't want to listen to drivel like that." "Drivel?" repeated the other, puzzled. " . . . I don't see why you need to get so hot under the collar. — 1914 •(informal, slang) Sexually aroused. formshotter under the collar · hottest under the collar