Idiom
under the cosh
Meanings
Under strong pressure, strict control, or being forced to comply.
Definition
If you are under the cosh, you are under strong pressure or being closely controlled.
When someone is under the cosh, they are experiencing intense pressure, strict supervision, or coercion. It often suggests that another person or situation is forcing them to act in a certain way. The phrase is commonly used in British English in work, family, or legal contexts.
Examples
- I’ve been under the cosh all week with deadlines.
- He’s under the cosh from his parents to choose a “safe” career.
- The team felt under the cosh after the new boss arrived.
- She’s under the cosh to repay the loan by Friday.
More at C1 level
- Monday morning quarterback A “Monday morning quarterback” is someone who criticizes decisions after the outcome is already kno…
- close but no cigar Used to say someone almost succeeded but did not quite achieve the goal.
- come hell or high water No matter what happens or how difficult things become.
- brass monkeys “Brass monkeys” is used in the expression “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey,” mea…
- get down to brass tacks To get down to brass tacks means to start discussing the most important practical details of someth…