unter Zugzwang stehen
phrasal verb: to be forced to do something (in a tricky situation)
This idiomatic phrase is used to mean ‘to be under pressure to take action’. ‘Zugzwang’ literally translates as a ‘compulsion to move’ in the context of board games.
Unter Zugzwang stehen wir in keiner Weise – wir sind auf gutem Kurs = We are not under pressure to take action – we are well on course.
Aufgrund der zunehmenden Probleme stand das Unternehmen unter Zugzwang, geeignete Maßnahmen zu ergreifen = Increasing problems placed the company under intense pressure to take appropriate measures.
A game of chess. Photo: Steve Buissinne via Pixabay