pressed-about-it
/prɛst əˈbaʊt ɪt/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Very worried, upset, or uncomfortable about something. It usually means the person is thinking hard about a problem or situation.
- She seems pressed about it after the meeting.
- Don't be pressed about it; we'll fix it.
- He was pressed about it all night.
Adinary Nuance
Use pressed about it when someone feels worried or troubled about one specific thing. It is stronger and more personal than concerned, which can sound calmer or more formal. It is also closer to stressed than to worried, but it usually points to a particular issue. In speech, it sounds natural and emotional.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lo lắng
- Spanish
- preocupado
- Chinese
- 担心
- Japanese
- 気にしている
- Korean
- 신경 쓰는
Etymology
This phrase is modern English and builds from the verb phrase “be pressed about something,” meaning to feel troubled or worried. It uses the everyday verb “press,” with this sense developing in recent spoken English.
Common phrases
pressed about itdon't be pressed about itreally pressed about it
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is pressed about it formal or informal?
- It is more informal and spoken than formal writing. Use it in conversation, not in reports.
- Is it the same as worried?
- It is close to worried, but more emotional and immediate. It often sounds like the person is feeling pressure.
- Can I use it in IELTS speaking?
- Yes, if it fits your meaning and sounds natural. Use it when describing feelings clearly.