YOU SAID:
the hot potato was thrown across the fire
INTO JAPANESE
熱いジャガイモは火の向こうに投げ込まれた
BACK INTO ENGLISH
hot potatoes thrown over the fire
INTO JAPANESE
熱いジャガイモを火の上に投げる
BACK INTO ENGLISH
throw hot potatoes on fire
INTO JAPANESE
熱いジャガイモを火にかける
BACK INTO ENGLISH
heat the hot potatoes
INTO JAPANESE
熱いジャガイモを加熱する
BACK INTO ENGLISH
heat hot potatoes
INTO JAPANESE
熱いジャガイモを加熱する
BACK INTO ENGLISH
heat hot potatoes
That didn't even make that much sense in English.