A hotshot is someone who thinks they're more skilled or important than everyone else and isn't shy about showing it. The word usually carries a critical edge: when you call someone a hotshot, you're suggesting they're too confident, maybe even arrogant. A hotshot pilot might brag about their flying skills. A hotshot lawyer might walk around the courtroom like they've already won the case.

The term often appears in stories about people who need to learn humility. Think of the cocky new kid at school who claims to be amazing at basketball but hasn't actually played with the team yet. They're acting like a hotshot before proving themselves.

Interestingly, hotshot can also be used more positively to mean someone genuinely talented and successful, like calling someone a “hotshot programmer” because they really do write excellent code. Context matters: tone of voice and situation tell you whether it's a compliment or a gentle jab.

The word also has a specific meaning in firefighting: hotshot crews are elite teams of wildfire firefighters who go into remote areas to battle dangerous blazes. These crews earned their name through genuine skill and bravery, though even they would tell you that acting like a hotshot is very different from being one.