Under siege refers to a state or condition in which a person, group, or location is being surrounded, encircled, or aggressively attacked by a hostile force or situation. It typically involves a deliberate and sustained effort to overpower, isolate, or gain control over the target.
The term "under siege" is commonly associated with military contexts, where it describes a situation in which an army or fortress is under attack and its inhabitants are trapped and cut off from outside assistance or supplies. However, it can also be used metaphorically to describe various non-military situations in which an individual or entity is facing intense pressure, opposition, or constraint.
In such cases, being under siege implies a relentless assault or a state of being overwhelmed by external forces or circumstances, resulting in a sense of confinement, vulnerability, and limited options. It conveys a notion of being trapped, unable to escape or resolve the challenging situation.
Furthermore, the phrase "under siege" can also connote a prolonged struggle or prolonged state of stress, often involving multiple fronts or sources of pressure. This could include facing criticism, legal challenges, public scrutiny, financial difficulties, or other forms of adversity that continually threaten stability, progress, or success.
In summary, "under siege" denotes a state of being subjected to an aggressive attack, surrounded, or oppressed by external forces, either in a literal military context or in a broader metaphorical sense. It implies a situation of confinement, vulnerability, and enduring pressure which can occur across a wide range of circumstances.
