under the gun

Idioms  

1. Under pressure to solve a problem or meet a deadline, as in The reporter was under the gun for that article on taxes. This idiom alludes to a gun being pointed at a person to force him or her to act. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

under the gun

If automakers like GM were under the gun to go electric again, it would likely be a costly reversal for Magna and other suppliers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026

“There’s no question that streaming is now under the gun to be its own profit center,” Hanlon said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2025

The radiation treatments lasted three months, for five days a week, ten minutes under the gun each time.

From Salon ● May 21, 2025

Officials were under the gun to secure a political victory for the flagship legislation.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 8, 2023

So Pa would take the ramrod from its place under the gun barrel, and fasten a piece of clean cloth on its end.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder