- An urgent matter or problem that requires immediate attention or resolution.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from the verb to press in the sense of urging, demanding immediate attention, or weighing heavily on one's mind or resources.
- An issue that presses upon you needs to be dealt with quickly.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Big deal. (Can mean important, but also used sarcastically)
- Shit's hit the fan. (Implies a crisis that needs immediate attention)
- Need to put out this fire. (Metaphor for dealing with an urgent problem)
- Top of the list.
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- A fucking emergency.
- Serious shit.
Milder/Formal:
- An exigent matter.
- A priority concern.
- An issue requiring immediate attention.
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most contexts, including informal, semi-formal, and formal settings (like business meetings, political discussions, etc.).
- Clearly signals importance and urgency.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Low risk. The meaning is clear from the words pressing (urgent) and issue (problem/matter).
Examples
- Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time.
- We need to deal with this budget shortfall; it's a pressing issue.
- Let's focus on the pressing issues first and discuss the minor details later.
Dialogue
Manager: Team, we need to address the server outage immediately. It's a pressing issue affecting all our customers.
Employee: Right. I'll start diagnostics now. Has IT been notified?
Manager: Yes, they're aware. Let's coordinate efforts. This is top priority.
Employee: Understood.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Addressing food insecurity remains a pressing issue in our community. How can we help? #communityaction #socialjustice
- LinkedIn Post: Cybersecurity is a pressing issue for all businesses in 2024. Are you prepared? #cybersecurity #businesstips
- Forum Question: What's the most pressing issue facing new parents today?
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Acknowledgement: Absolutely. / I agree. / Understood. / Right, let's prioritize that.
- Inquiry: Okay, what needs to be done? / What's the plan? / Why is it so urgent?
- Offering help: How can I assist? / What do you need from me?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After identifying something as a pressing issue:
- The immediate next step is usually to discuss solutions or actions: So, what's our first step? / Who is responsible for handling this?
- Prioritization often follows: Let's put other things aside and focus on this.
- Action: Begin working on resolving the issue immediately.
After agreeing (Absolutely):
- The conversation typically moves directly into problem-solving mode.
Conversation Starter
- Yes, can be used to open a discussion about a problem that needs immediate focus. E.g., Okay everyone, let's talk about the most pressing issue right now: the deadline.
Intonation
- Stress falls heavily on pressing.
- Often said with a tone of seriousness, urgency, or concern.
- This is a PRESSING issue.
Generation Differences
- Used and understood across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Universally used in English-speaking regions.