hard-pressed

adj

1. Barely able; having difficulty doing something.

   “Although they are still available, I think we would be hard-pressed to find one on short notice.”

   “From the 'fifties onwards the development of the South Wales & Monmouthshire coalfield went on at terrific speed, and railway construction was hard pressed to keep pace with it.”

2. Experiencing financial difficulty or difficulty in surviving.

   “The earthquake left the residents hard-pressed.”

   “Speaking to Parliament on March 23, Sunak announced a temporary cut in fuel duty of 5p per litre to hard-pressed motorists who have faced spiralling prices for diesel and petrol in recent weeks.”