under the cosh

under the cosh

Contending with a difficult or stressful situation; experiencing pressure or difficulty. Primarily heard in UK. Local businesses have been increasingly put under the cosh by the austerity measures imposed by the government after the economic crash. Manchester United has really been under the cosh in this second half. I don't think they've left their own side of the pitch more than a handful of times.
See also: cosh
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be under the cosh
  • cosh
  • put (one) under the cosh
  • hairy situation
  • put somebody through it
  • put (one) through it
  • on a knife-edge
  • keep a cool head
  • keep a level head
  • be not (one's) day
References in periodicals archive
Koeman is under the cosh after a terrible start following a PS140million summer investment in the transfer market.
Palace put Koeman on guard
"We were under the cosh when they equalised but, to come out of it, when this place was rocking, and win it comfortably, shows a lot about this group.
Bold Blades Steel the spoils; Wilder so proud of his Blades
McClaren accepts that Newcastle were "under the cosh" on the south coast and "could have gone under", but the fact that they held firm proved that progress is being made.
Toon troops are up for the battle; Mac: My troops are up for fight
"When you are under the cosh, you know that you have "When you are under the cosh, you know that you have strikers who can score out of nothing.
Sturridge has to lose 'sicknote' reputation; Striker needs to be playing consistently - Rodgers
With the Hoops under the cosh for much of the 2-2 Austria.
Blitz night for Gordon
With more than six furlongs to run, everything bar the well-backed favourite Yourgolftravel Com, who hit a low of 2.02 to win and 1.17 to place, was under the cosh. Yet as soon as Stephen Craine switched him to the inside he, too, came under pressure and the response was minimal.
Gulf President in charge; BETTING REPORT
DURHAM virtually guaranteed an unbeaten record for the season when Shivnarine Chanderpaul's first double century in the County Championship put Worcestershire under the cosh at New Road.
County Cricket; Sports World
"You lose a game and lose it badly and you are under the cosh, especially if you are the manager."
football ROUNG UP: Pressure on Sam
Under the cosh all afternoon, Hatters' striker Liam Dickinson served up the decisive opener on 63 minutes with a flashing near post header to the top corner.
Macc'field 0 Stockport 2; Coca Cola FOOTBALL LEAGUE TWO
"We were under the cosh against Tonga and had to weather the storm.
Rugby Union: We don't know our potential; RUGBY WORLD CUP 2007
The Greenbacks, again missing half a dozen first regulars, were under the cosh for long periods in the first half.
Happy Hallam hails Bedworth; NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Round-up of all the weekend action
The home side fielded six new faces and struggled as Kevin Gordon and Gareth Hutchinson combined well to put their defence under the cosh Former Shire man Gordon fired Berwick in front in 11 minutes, latching on to a fine Paul Hampshire pass and giving keeper Tony Mitchell no chance from 10 yards After a quiet opening to the second period Ross Donaldson netted a spectacular leveller in 59 minutes with a 30-yard drive But in 70 minutes Berwick sealed victory whenHampshire teed up Gordon Forrest to slot home.
Football: Shire can't put out Forrest fire; EAST STIRLING .....1 BERWICK .......2
Saturday's early `gift' allowed Liverpool to sit back and defend, but they will be relieved to have got something from a game in which they were under the cosh in the second half.
The Journal Jury
With Nomads under the cosh it came as a shock when Mutton swooped minutes from time to plant the ball passed Pat Mountain for a share of the points.
Football: Mutton rescues a point for the Nomads; FAW PREMIER CUP: Connah's Quay 1 v Newport Co 1
But Andy Cooke headed Burnley level seven minutes later, and Grimsby found themselves under the cosh.
Coyne saves point; BURNLEY...1 GRIMSBY...1