To be contending with a difficult or stressful situation; to experience pressure or difficulty. Primarily heard in UK. Local businesses have been increasingly 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.

To force (someone) to contend with a difficult or stressful situation; to put (someone) under 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. Middlesbrough has really been putting Manchester United under the cosh in this second half.

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.