under the gun

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

The rule requires that anyone who’s selling kits that can be readily made into an operable firearm has to follow the most important regulations under the Gun Control Act, including putting serial numbers on every gun and doing background checks on every purchaser.

From Slate

"These agencies have an internal professional culture. I want to be a good economist, I want to be a good lawyer, I want to be a good scientist, and so that my reputation in the profession is respected. If I'm under the gun all of the time, that's going to put a real damper on how I could actually do my work."

From Salon

“I believe I should be here. It’s where I’m supposed to be, so I’m excited to hit golf shots under the gun on the weekend,” Dahmen said.

From Seattle Times

“We’re under the gun,” Philippine ambassador to Washington Jose Romualdez told The Associated Press in a telephone interview.

From Seattle Times

In an editorial published that same day, The Wall Street Journal suggested the U.S. and United Kingdom could "risk finding Americans and Britons under the gun" next if they don't warn ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan against issuing arrest warrants for Israeli officials.

From Salon