accede to pressure
To bow down or yield to pressure from an outside force, especially as regards a political, business, or military action or decision. Congress was forced to accede to pressure from the public and abandon its proposal to increase taxes. The government will not accede to pressure from the terrorist. I'm pleased that Richard didn't accede to pressure from the board and instead picked the candidate for CEO that he liked best.
be under pressure
1. Literally, to be compressed within some vessel with great force. The contents of this container are under pressure, so do not pierce it or expose it to fire or you could risk triggering an explosion. Crude oil underneath the ground is usually under intense pressure, which is why it can erupt into a geyser if a deposit is struck. That spray paint is in an aerosol can because it needs to be under pressure.
2. To be facing or enduring a great amount of stress caused by some compelling or constraining influence. I can't talk now, I'm under pressure to get this done before the end of the day! Sorry, I'm just under so much pressure at work that it's made me rather irritable. We've emptied our life savings into our company, so we're definitely under pressure to make it successful.
check (one's) blood pressure
To measure one's blood pressure. I'll need to check your blood pressure before we begin. The doctor told me to check my blood pressure twice a day to see if there was any adverse reaction to the medication. The nurse checked my blood pressure and told me what it was, and I've already forgotten.
high-pressure (one) into (doing something)
To make a great effort to try to force, influence, or persuade one to do something or act a certain way. A number of corporations have been high-pressuring politicians into rolling back the strict regulations implemented by the previous administration. My parents high-pressured me into getting a job since I decided not to go to college. Right, like you're gonna high-pressure Mom into letting you stay out till midnight. Good luck with that one.
no pressure
Said ironically to emphasize that what is being discussed carries a large amount of importance or makes one feel that one must try very hard to succeed. A: "I don't want you to feel intimidated, but this employee review will have a huge bearing on whether or not you're kept on at the end of the year." B: "Wow, no pressure or anything!"
pressure (one) into (doing something)
To try to force, influence, or persuade one to do something or act a certain way. A number of corporations have been pressuring politicians into rolling back the strict regulations implemented by the previous administration. My parents pressured me into getting a job since I decided not to go to college.
pressure cooker
A situation or environment characterized by extremely stressful, difficult, or volatile conditions. Likened to the cooking implement of the same name that uses trapped steam to cook food more quickly under pressure and above boiling point. The entire country has become a political pressure cooker, as forces on both sides seem poised for an all-out civil war over the slightest provocation. This company is a notorious pressure cooker, demanding their employees meet near-impossible quotas under insane deadlines. Most people end up quitting within the first month.
pressure point
An issue that is of great importance or has the ability to have a large impact. The push to save the historic building from demolition has become an unusual pressure point in the town. The issue has become a huge political pressure point over the last year, with protesters marching in every major city demanding elected officials to effect change.
push off
1. Literally, to push against a dock in order to move one's boat away from shore. I'll need you to push off while I steer the boat.
2. By extension, to leave or depart. We both need to be up early tomorrow, so we'll be pushing off soon.
3. In some sports, to push another player in order to propel oneself away and create more distance from them, typically in order to get "open" to receive a pass, etc. Such a maneuver is typically against the rules. You can clearly see in the replay that Williams pushed off. The refs missed that one.
4. slang Go away! Stop bothering me! Primarily heard in UK. Push off! I told you I'm not going to the dance, and that's it! You need to push off, buddy. I've told you I'm not interested.
put (one) under pressure
To cause one to endure a great amount of stress or constraint. I can't talk now, the boss is putting me under pressure to get this done before the end of the day! Sorry, I've just been put under so much pressure at work lately that it's making me rather irritable.
put (something) under pressure
To compress something (into some space) with great force. They put aerosols under pressure so that they will spray out of their cans when you press down on the nozzles.
put pressure on (one)
To try to influence or persuade one to do something or act a certain way; to make demands on or expect something from someone. A number of companies have been putting pressure on politicians to ease up on corporate taxes and regulations. My parents have been putting pressure on me to get a job.
take (one's) blood pressure
To measure one's blood pressure. I'll need to take your blood pressure before we begin. The doctor told me to take my blood pressure twice a day to see if there was any adverse reaction to the medication.
under pressure
1. Literally, forced through or into some vessel with great compressive force. The contents of this container are under pressure, so do not pierce it or expose it to fire or you could risk triggering an explosion. Crude oil underneath the ground can be under intense pressure, which is why it can erupt into a geyser when drilled into directly.
2. (While) facing or enduring a great amount of stress caused by some compelling or constraining influence. I can't talk now, I'm under pressure to get this done before the end of the day! Sorry, I'm just under so much pressure at work that it's made me rather irritable.
yield to pressure
To give into outside forces urging someone to do something. Sally wasn't even going to apply for that boring job, but she yielded to pressure from her mother and submitted her resume nonetheless.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
high-pressure someone into something
Fig. to urge someone forcefully to do something. Here comes Jill. Watch out. She will try to high-pressure you into working on her committee. You can't high-pressure me into doing anything! I'm too busy!
pressure someone into something
to force someone into doing something. Please don't try to pressure me into taking that promotion. You can't pressure me into it. I won't do it!
push off
and shove offto leave. (As if one were pushing a boat away from a dock.) Well, it looks like it's time to push off. It's time to go. Let's shove off.
push (oneself) off (on something)
[for someone in a boat] to apply pressure to something on the shore, thus propelling the boat and oneself away. The weekend sailor pushed himself off on the boat he had been moored to. We pushed off on the dock.
push someone or something off (of) someone or something
and push someone or something offto apply pressure to and force someone or something off someone or something. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) He continued to come at me, but I managed to push him off me and escape. I pushed off the attacker.
put pressure on something
put (the) pressure on someone (to do something)
to make demands on someone; to try to get someone to do something. Please don't put pressure on me to go there! We put the pressure on him to get him to come, but he refused.
take someone's blood pressure
to measure a person's blood pressure. The doctor takes my blood pressure every time I am in the office. Bob takes his blood pressure at home every day.
*under pressure
1. and *under a deadline; *under the gun (about something) Fig. facing or enduring something such as pressure or a deadline. (*Typically: be ~; get ~.) I have to get back to work. I am under a deadline. I am under a lot of pressure lately. The management is under the gun for the mistakes made last year.
2. [of a gas or liquid] being forced, squeezed, or compressed. (*Typically: be ~; deliver something ~; put something ~.) The gas in the pipes leading to the oven are under pressure.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.