hot buttons

Noun

hot button (plural hot buttons)

1. A central issue, concern or characteristic, especially one that motivates people to make a choice; sometimes also one that people seek to delay taking sides on.
   • That issue was mostly solved in the modern forces, but it was still a hot button for every student of modern military history.2014, M. L. Buchman, Light Up the Night, →ISBN
2. The principal desire that a salesman needs to "hit" in order to make a sale.
   • Jack Lacey^([sic]), a top rating salesman, says that sales are made by touching off a “hot button” within the prospect’s mind.’1944, Dental Items of Interest, volume 66, Dental Items of Interest Publishing Company, page 866
3. An emotional trigger; something that arouses strong emotion or opinions.
   • Because when you recognize your main hot button, you can take the necessary steps to diffuse anger and reestablish connectedness in a healthy relationship.2009, Gary Smalley, Ted Cunningham, From Anger to Intimacy Study Guide, →ISBN