hard put

So one can understand that the Toussaints themselves are hard put.

"You will be hard put to it, with your nature, Charles," she told him critically.

It was so sweet to think of that I was hard put to it to keep from tossing the rod overboard.

But each man was hard put to it to check an expression of astonishment.

Whereupon I was hard put to explain that there was no room for him.

When these became exhausted I was hard put for reading matter.

Why, the truth is, he will be hard put to it to find a salvo for his honour.

If we do, I should think she'll be hard put to it to recognize me.

As his character must change with his position, he is hard put to it.

But she'll be hard put to it to get that force fully mobilized and equipped.