摘要：其语境隐含“被动承受压力、行动受限”的意味，区别于“under pressure”的泛化压力，更强调“紧迫性”和“外部胁迫感”。

under the gun 处于巨大压力之下，面临紧迫期限或严密审视，需迅速采取行动

其语境隐含“被动承受压力、行动受限”的意味，区别于“under pressure”的泛化压力，更强调“紧迫性”和“外部胁迫感”。

其源于19世纪围城战或海军作战场景，指士兵处于敌方炮火直接威胁下的状态，字面意为“在枪口/炮火之下”，后隐喻为“承受致命压力”。如：

I'm really under the gun today.

我今天的压力真大。

You made a decision under the gun.

你只是在重压下做了决定。《诉讼双雄》

The design team was put under the gun to finish the project before the trade fair.

设计团队被迫使仓促在交易会之前完成这个项目。

The government is under the gun over its failure to control inflation.

政府因未能控制通货膨胀而面临巨大压力。

I can't afford any time for parties because I'm under the gun to get ready for final exams.

我没时间参加聚会，因为我正为期末考试做准备，压力很大。

The ambassador was under the gun to negotiate a ceasefire before the deadline.

大使面临紧迫压力，需在截止日期前促成停火谈判。

Being under the gun of family expectation, they had to rush into marriage.

在家庭期望的压力下，他们不得不仓促结婚。

She's under the gun to decide whether to move abroad with her boyfriend by next week.

她面临紧迫压力，需在下周前决定是否和男友移居国外。

Married couples are often under the gun to balance career and family responsibilities.

已婚夫妇常面临平衡事业与家庭责任的巨大压力。

Small businesses have been under the gun since the new tax policy was introduced.

新税收政策实施以来，小微企业一直承受着巨大压力。

来源：翅膀英语一点号