pressures
pressures — noun
- pressuressingular
- pressuresesplural
1. the physical pushing power that a hand, finger, or object creates when it applie
the physical pushing power that a hand, finger, or object creates when it applies weight to a surface
The nurse applied gentle pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
apply + [adjective] + pressure + to + [noun]
Marta pressed down on the jar lid with steady pressure until it popped open.
The doctor told Rachid not to put too much pressure on his injured ankle for a week.
Hassan pushed down on the heavy box with both hands, using steady pressure to close the lid.
The little girl held her father's hand tightly, and he smiled at the tiny pressure of her fingers.
- force
more general term; pressure implies a continuous push against a surface
- weight
focuses on heaviness rather than active pushing
- compression
technical term for being squeezed or pressed together
- release
the removal of applied force
2. the feeling of worry or anxiety that comes from having too many demands on your
the feeling of worry or anxiety that comes from having too many demands on your time, energy, or ability to cope
Manuela has been under a lot of pressure at work since her boss gave her three big projects.
under pressure — most common collocation
The pressure of meeting the deadline made the whole team work through the night.
Shirin decided to leave her job because the constant pressure was making it hard to sleep.
Students often feel enormous pressure to get top grades in their final exams.
Mika learned to handle the pressure of managing two cafe shifts back-to-back.
用法筆記
Commonly paired with 'under' ('under pressure') to describe a state of stress. 'Put someone under pressure' is the causative pattern. Distinguish from sense 4 (PERSUASION): this sense describes an internal feeling, while sense 4 describes an external act of influence.
3. the physical force that a gas, liquid, or the surrounding air pushes against the
the physical force that a gas, liquid, or the surrounding air pushes against the surfaces that contain it
The water pressure in the old pipes was too low for a hot shower.
water pressure / air pressure / tyre pressure
Omar checked the tyre pressure on his bicycle before the long ride to work.
When the weather turned cold, the pressure in Diego's car tyres dropped by several units.
Amara checked the pressure gauge on the boiler before turning on the heating for the first time that winter.
The doctor told Mrs. Chen that her high blood pressure needed to be checked every month.
用法筆記
Common in compounds such as 'blood pressure', 'air pressure', 'water pressure', and 'tyre pressure'. The scientific unit is the pascal, but everyday usage simply says 'high' or 'low' pressure.
常見錯誤
4. the act of using arguments, repeated requests, or influence to make someone do s
the act of using arguments, repeated requests, or influence to make someone do something they would not choose to do on their own
The union put pressure on the factory owner by threatening to go on strike.
put pressure on [someone]
Samir felt pressure from his parents to study medicine instead of pursuing art.
feel pressure from [someone] to [verb]
Environmental groups are bringing pressure to bear on the government to ban single-use plastics.
Under pressure from investors, the company agreed to change its hiring policy.
The teenager gave in to peer pressure and started smoking with the older kids.
- persuasion
gentler approach; pressure implies stronger or unwelcome influence
- coercion
more forceful, often involving threats; pressure can be milder
- influence
broader, can be positive or negative; pressure is more active
- encouragement
supportive urging rather than forceful influence
用法筆記
Often followed by 'on' + person/group. 'Peer pressure' and 'pressure from' are very frequent patterns. This sense is distinct from sense 2 (stress/anxiety) in that it focuses on the act of influencing someone rather than the resulting worry.
常見錯誤
5. the feeling that you must meet a high standard because of something someone just
the feeling that you must meet a high standard because of something someone just said or implied — often used humorously with 'no pressure'
"This presentation will decide your promotion — no pressure!" her colleague said with a grin.
"no pressure" — ironic set phrase
Ari's friends kept telling him the race was easy, which only added to the pressure he felt.
After Marta said she was certain William would win, the pressure was really on him to perform.
Knowing that everyone in the audience was watching, Mira felt the pressure to give a flawless performance.
- expectation
broader term; pressure in this sense focuses on the motivating force of others' words
- urgency
focuses on time constraint rather than personal expectation
用法筆記
Often appears in set phrases: 'no pressure' (said humorously when a big expectation is stated) and 'the pressure is on' (when an expectation has been created by someone's words). Distinguish from sense 2 (STRESS): this sense is triggered by a specific comment rather than ongoing demands.
6. the sustained offensive push by a team in football (soccer) that forces the oppo
the sustained offensive push by a team in football (soccer) that forces the opposing defenders to stay busy trying to prevent a goal
The Brazilian team kept up the pressure in the second half and finally scored in the 75th minute.
keep up the pressure — sports usage
The home defence could not handle the constant pressure from the opposing forwards.
Samir's back-pass put his own goalkeeper under pressure and the other team nearly scored.
After withstanding twenty minutes of pressure, the home team cleared the ball and counter-attacked.
- defence
the opposing team's effort to stop the attack
用法筆記
Exclusive to football (soccer) commentary and analysis. Common patterns: 'keep up the pressure', 'withstand the pressure', 'under pressure'. Not used in other sports contexts.
pressures — verb
- pressurespresent simple I / you / we / they
- pressureses3rd person singular
- pressuresing-ing form
- pressuresedpast simple
1. to keep asking or demanding that someone do something they are unwilling to do,
to keep asking or demanding that someone do something they are unwilling to do, using arguments, repeated requests, or threats
The salesman pressured Mira into signing a contract she had not fully read.
pressure + [someone] + into + [gerund]
Rachid's parents pressured him to become a doctor, but he chose to be a teacher instead.
pressure + [someone] + to + [infinitive]
Some landlords pressure their tenants into paying extra fees that are not in the agreement.
The coach pressured the players to train harder after they lost three matches in a row.
Vinícius felt that his manager was pressuring him to work at weekends without extra pay.
- coerce
stronger, often implies threats or force rather than argument
- push
less formal; can be positive ('push yourself to improve')
- pressurize
very similar; more common in British English
- force
stronger; implies no choice is given
文法句型
pressure + [someone] + to + [verb]
pressure + [someone] + into + [verb]-ing
用法筆記
Both 'pressure someone to do something' and 'pressure someone into doing something' are common. The 'into + gerund' pattern often implies a slightly more manipulative or forceful action. The verb can be used in the passive: 'I felt pressured to agree.'