【英语时差8,16】在极大压力下（工作）；承受极大压力

 If you love your job, part of the reason may be that you freely chose the work that you do. You were not forced to do it. But imagine a situation during wartime in which there were some soldiers or guards with guns standing¹ above you, forcing you to do that same job. Suddenly it would not be pleasurable work anymore.

The fear that you might be harmed if you did not work quickly and efficiently² would be very stressful. There would be a sense of danger as you worked below the level where the gunmen were standing. Working "under the gun" of a watchful³ and hostile master would make anyone nervous. Thus, although no one we can see nearby may have an actual gun, we use this idiom in any work situation where the workers are put under strong pressure to perform quickly and efficiently.

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 efficiently   

adv.高效率地，有能力地

参考例句：

• The worker oils the machine to operate it more efficiently.工人给机器上油以使机器运转更有效。
• Local authorities have to learn to allocate resources efficiently.地方政府必须学会有效地分配资源。

3 watchful   

adj.注意的，警惕的

参考例句：

• The children played under the watchful eye of their father.孩子们在父亲的小心照看下玩耍。
• It is important that health organizations remain watchful.卫生组织保持警惕是极为重要的。