hard-pressed
/ˌhɑːdˈprɛst
/adjective
1Closely pursued: the hard-pressed French infantry...
- As it was, precision kicking from stand-off Louis Koen and a fine try from veteran wing Stefan Terblanche sealed the victory for South Africa, and only superb defence by the hard-pressed visitors kept the score respectable.
- His clearances kept his side out of danger when required, whereas David Adamson of Stirling County did not find touch frequently enough, and when he did, it was seldom deep enough to give his hard-pressed pack welcome breathing space.
- ‘Uhm… yes, I'm here ’, I replied lurching forward about two metres into the already hard-pressed crowd.
Synonyms
under attack, closely pursued, hotly pursued, harried, hounded
2Burdened with urgent business: training centres are hard-pressed and insufficient in numbers...
- Yet, it was clearly established that even a modest weight reduction and improved weight control could bring health benefits, and relieve the burden on hard-pressed health systems.
- It may sound too time consuming and a bit like baby sitting for busy hard-pressed organisations and businesses.
- The wider the debates the more they are likely to harass, confuse and distract hard-pressed District Court judges and magistrates in particular.
Synonyms
in difficulties, under pressure, under stress, troubled, beleaguered, harassed, with one's back to the wall, with one's back up against the wall, in a tight corner, in a tight spot, between a rock and a hard place;
busy, overburdened, overworked, overloaded, overtaxed, rushed off one's feet, time-poor;
North American at the end of one's rope
informal pushed, up against it
British informal under the cosh
2.1In difficulties: [with infinitive]: the staff were hard-pressed to give even basic care...
- The industry is very hard-pressed after experiencing several very difficult years,’ he said.
- Sorrell's previous forecast was for an upturn in 2004 as the US Presidential election and the Athens Olympics provide a welcome boost to demand for the hard-pressed advertising and media industry.
- Mr Greenway said: ‘It's a disaster for an already hard-pressed pig industry.’