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You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. apply pressure

• Thread starter Thread starter Silver
• Start date Start date Oct 26, 2010

Silver

Senior Member

Chongqing Chinese,Cantonese,Sichuan dialect Hi, I got a term "apply pressure" from my notebook, it means "exert pressure", but does it really make sense? Let me give you a self-made context: "Don't apply too much pressure on your son, Silver" Does it work? Thanks R

Renaissance man

Senior Member

Gothenburg, Sweden Swedish It's better used in more formal, technical contexts, like "in order to win this war, we must apply pressure on their coastal fortresses" or "the primes minister has promised to apply more pressure on the drug smuggling" or, in a literal sense: "when gluing wood you need to apply a lot of pressure." I think your case calls for a less technical jargon. Why not just "put"?

Silver

Senior Member

Chongqing Chinese,Cantonese,Sichuan dialect Thanks a lot, Renaissance. I seldom see the word "apply" goes with "pressure", so I guess it is wrong to use it in this way, can you provide me some context that come of English speaking conturies? I am not saying that you are not worth trusting, I am a bit neurotic.

Majorbloodnok

Senior Member

British English - Southern England The word "exert" implies a certain amount of effort, whilst "apply" simply implies putting something in place. As a first aider, I'm far more likely to apply pressure than exert pressure. If someone has a serious cut, I need to get some pressure onto the wound to restrict or stop the bleeding. As part of a first step, I'll get the person to put one of their hands onto the wound and exert pressure (i.e. they're actively pressing on it). After that I'll be able to put a dressing on the wound in such a way that the dressing is exerting pressure itself (i.e. the pressure is there, but I don't have to do anything). In both cases, I have achieved what I needed, which is to apply pressure to the wound. P

Parla

Member Emeritus

New York City English - US Like Major, when I hear the phrase "apply pressure" I think first of physical pressure being placed on something; placing pressure on a wound in an attempt to stop bleeding, as Major said, would be a good example. (British and American English seem to agree here!) When pressure is being used in a non-physical sense, such as to persuade someone to do (or not do) something, I think most people would use "exert".

owlman5

Senior Member

Colorado English-US Hello, Silver. Here's your suggested sentence: "Don't apply too much pressure on your son, Silver" I understand this as it is with the figurative meaning: "Don't be too strict with your son, Silver." If I were trying to express the idea in an idiomatic way, I'd probably say "Don't be too hard on your son, Silver." I agree with the others that we usually use "apply pressure" with a literal meaning, as in the Major's comments about applying pressure to a wound. I've often seen Parla's suggestion "exert pressure" used with a figurative meaning. You can also use "pressure" as a verb: "Don't try to pressure your son into doing things, Silver." I think that your version with "apply pressure" is understandable, but it's not the most idiomatic way to express the idea. PS I just thought of another idiomatic way to say this: "Don't push your son too hard, Silver." You must log in or register to reply here. Share: Bluesky LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Share Link

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