under the gun

prepositional phrase3

1. •
   Under great pressure to perform.

   • He was under the gun to finish the project quickly.
2. •
   Of, pertaining to, or in the situation of first player to act on the first round of betting.

   • James will be under the gun for the first hand of the final table.
3. •
   (no longer used) Too close to be subject to artillery fire.