under pressure

/ˌʌndər ˈprɛʃər/
phraseIntermediate
informal

experiencing stress or strain due to demanding circumstances

She stayed calm under pressure when the project deadline approached.

She remained composed despite the stress of an impending deadline.

The team performed under pressure to meet the client's expectations.

The team worked under stress to satisfy the client's demands.

💡

Often used to describe situations where someone must perform or make decisions under stress.

Collocations

perform under pressureto do well in stressful situationscrack under pressureto fail or give in when stressed

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

break under pressurephrase
to fail or collapse when stressed
handle pressurephrase
to manage stress effectively

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

This phrase is often used in sports, business, and personal contexts to describe how someone deals with stress.

Gold Rule

Context Matters

The meaning can vary slightly depending on whether it's used in a literal or figurative sense.

📖Word Origin

Combination of 'under' (in a state of) and 'pressure' (stress or force), reflecting the idea of being subjected to demanding conditions.

📝Usage Notes

Commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to describe high-stress situations.

Word Breakdown

under
in a state of
preposition
+
pressure
stress or force
noun
English Dictionary