Meaning
In a state of stress, tension, or urgency, typically caused by demanding circumstances, deadlines, or expectations.
It can describe both external pressure (from other people or situations) and the internal experience of feeling stressed.
Origin
The phrase extends the literal physical sense of “pressure” — force applied to an object, as in physics or engineering — to psychological and emotional strain, treating stress as an invisible force pressing in on a person much as physical pressure acts on matter. The metaphor gained extra cultural visibility through Queen and David Bowie’s 1981 song “Under Pressure,” though the phrase itself, as a general description of stress, was already established in English well before the song and is not attributed to it.
Examples
She always performs well under pressure.
The team has been under pressure to finish the project early.
He tends to make mistakes when he’s under pressure.
A: How’s the deadline going? B: We’re definitely under pressure right now.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Under pressure' mean?
In a state of stress, tension, or urgency, typically caused by demanding circumstances, deadlines, or expectations.
It can describe both external pressure (from other people or situations) and the internal experience of feeling stressed.