under big pressure

USAGE SUMMARY

"under big pressure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to talk about a person or a group of people who are feeling a worrying amount of stress or are facing a difficult problem. For example, "My family is under big pressure, as we have to find a new place to live soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I think the refugees are under big pressure.

Independent

Under big pressure," he said on Saturday night.

Independent

"Even if they were slitting my throat?" "Daddy, I swear to God I am under big pressure," Abdul Hakim said.

The New York Times

So it would be intriguing to know exactly what Djokovic was thinking behind his sunglasses Sunday as he sat next to his girlfriend, Jelena Ristic, in the stands at the Monte Carlo Country Club and watched John Isner produce his latest bravura performance under big pressure.

The New York Times - Sports

If you lose three or four games on the trot obviously you're under big pressure and you're sacked and that makes them think: "Right, do we need results or do we need to find a way of playing to entertain people?" It's rubbish.

The Guardian - Sport

We are under big pressure now".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"And both families are under big pressures.

The New York Times

When you are under pressure, big pressure, sometimes the legs do not work normally," Capello told BBC Sport, before adding that there is no more room for errors.

The Guardian - Sport

"I expect the first days of testing to be very challenging, and we must avoid falling under the big pressure we have.

BBC

But because we were used to playing under such big pressure and some of the players at that time were playing in Italy as well, we were able to keep our nerve.

BBC

"At the same time, they have not stopped delivering 365 days a year, delivering health care and social care to people right across Northern Ireland in the face of all sorts of cutbacks; they are under big stress and big pressure.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under big pressure" when describing situations where individuals or organizations are experiencing significant stress or difficulty due to external factors or high expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "under big pressure" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "under significant strain" or "facing considerable stress" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under big pressure" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of stress or difficulty. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies it as a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under big pressure" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe situations of significant stress or difficulty. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's a usable expression in written English, frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider synonyms to maintain reader engagement. The phrase is considered neutral in register, making it appropriate for various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under significant strain

Emphasizes the level of strain experienced.

facing considerable stress

Highlights the stress component of the pressure.

experiencing intense pressure

Focuses on the intensity of the pressure.

in a high-stakes situation

Shifts the focus to the importance and risk associated with the situation.

in a critical predicament

Emphasizes the difficulty and potential danger of the situation.

grappling with immense difficulty

Highlights the struggle and challenge involved.

contending with substantial challenges

Focuses on the presence of significant obstacles.

subject to considerable demands

Highlights the demands imposed on someone or something.

feeling the weight of responsibility

Focuses on the burden and accountability.

navigating a challenging period

Emphasizes the ongoing and difficult nature of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "under big pressure" in a sentence?

You can use "under big pressure" to describe situations where someone is experiencing a lot of stress or difficulty. For example, "The team was "under big pressure" to deliver the project on time."

What are some alternatives to saying "under big pressure"?

Some alternatives include "under significant strain", "facing considerable stress", or "experiencing intense pressure", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "under a lot of pressure" instead of "under big pressure"?

Yes, "under a lot of pressure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used alternative. It conveys a similar meaning to ""under big pressure"".

What does it mean when someone is "under big pressure"?

It means they are experiencing a significant amount of stress, strain, or difficulty, often due to high expectations, challenging circumstances, or looming deadlines.