under pressure

idiom

1

: tightly pressed into a container

The contents of the bottle are under pressure.

2

: in a state of stress or anxiety because of having too much to do

They both work well under pressure.

3

: being made to feel forced to do something (as by arguments, threats, etc.)

The mayor is under pressure to resign.

Examples of under pressure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the Patriots' defensive front can get pressure on Sam Darnold, then Gonzalez — or Marcus Jones, Jaylinn Hawkins, Craig Woodson, among others — could be beneficiaries against a quarterback who has a reputation for throwing picks while under pressure. —Jim Reineking, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026

Of Darnold’s 14 interceptions and dozen fumbles this season, more than half have come when under pressure. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2026

Club stock Eaton was back and forth near the flat line earlier Wednesday after spending much of the prior session under pressure before a nearly 1% gain at the close. —Paulina Likos, CNBC, 4 Feb. 2026

Turnover continues in the Fortune 500, with PayPal offering the latest example of boards turning to finance leadership during periods while under pressure. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for under pressure

• acupressure
• overpressure
• flesher
• fresher
• thresher
• refresher