Quote Originally Posted by Frontline1944 View Post
1) I believe the phrase you're looking for is "putting someone in the hot seat." That is, if I interpreted the original post correctly.
"Putting someone on a pedestal" is certainly a saying in Britain, it means elevating someone above normal people ie thinking they can do no wrong etc.

"putting someone in the hot seat." to me implies challenging someone to respond (ie by asking someone a difficult question your putting them in the hot seat) or putting someone in control.