Under the Pump

Under the pump is an expression that means to be under a lot of pressure or stress. It was first used in Mary England and colonial Australia had public pumps where people could have a wash or cool down but this facility was then used frequently to sober up people who were drunk not uncommonly to quiet down people who were unruly or violent. By the 1860s in Australia the phrase put under the pump was being used figuratively in the sense of being severely criticized or disparaged it was the equivalent of pouring cold water over something but with a bit more intensity. The Macquarie Dictionary explains what does it mean to be under the pump so go check them out here.

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