under pressure
Meaning: experiencing stress or force
This phrase is common in both physical and emotional contexts.
The team performed well under pressure.
Under pressure or of pressure?
Under pressure is the standard expression for stress or force. Of pressure appears only in larger noun phrases such as effects of pressure.
Quick answer
Which expression is correct?
Use under pressure to describe stress, demands, or physical force. Of pressure usually follows another noun and is not a fixed expression by itself.
She works well under pressure.
Scientists studied the effects of pressure on the material.
Scientists studied the effects of pressure on the material.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
pressure on + person or thing
Meaning: demands or force directed at something
Pressure often takes on.
There is a lot of pressure on young athletes.
effects of pressure
Meaning: results caused by pressure
Of pressure links pressure to another noun.
The experiment measured the effects of pressure.
put pressure on
Meaning: try to influence someone
This is a common verbal expression.
They tried to put pressure on the committee.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
under pressure
He stays calm under pressure.
experiencing stress
of pressure
The gauge measures changes of pressure.
formal descriptive phrase
pressure on
Parents feel pressure on their finances.
force or demands directed at something
pressure from
She faced pressure from investors.
source of the pressure
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using of pressure alone
Of pressure usually follows another noun.
✕ The workers are of pressure. ✓ The workers are under pressure.Using under pressure for source
Use from to identify where pressure comes from.
✕ Pressure under customers increased. ✓ Pressure from customers increased.Confusing physical and emotional meanings
Under pressure can describe both stress and physical force.
✕ The pipe is in pressure. ✓ The pipe is under pressure.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She can make quick decisions ___
2. The report examined the effects ___ heat and pressure.
3. Managers sometimes put pressure ___ employees.
Check your sentence in context
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Free to try · No signup required
Frequently asked questions
What does under pressure mean?
It means experiencing stress, demands, or physical force.
Can of pressure stand alone?
Usually no. It appears in larger phrases such as effects of pressure.
Which preposition follows pressure for a target?
On is most common, as in pressure on staff.
Related preposition guides
Write with confidence in Linguix
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
