hard-pressed
UK: ˌhɑːd ˈprest | US: ˌhɑːrd ˈprest
adj. facing severe difficulty or pressure
adj. lacking sufficient resources (e.g., time, money)
The term combines "hard" (Old English heard, meaning "solid" or "unyielding") and "pressed" (Latin pressare, via Old French presser, meaning "to squeeze or compel"). Originally literal (e.g., physically squeezed), it evolved metaphorically by the 19th century to describe being under intense stress or scarcity. The hyphenated form emphasizes the compounded pressure.
Small businesses are often hard-pressed to compete with large corporations.
She felt hard-pressed to finish the project before the deadline.
Hard-pressed families struggled during the economic crisis.
The team was hard-pressed to find a solution.
Even hard-pressed students managed to submit their assignments on time.