Possible Clues:

• Put-upon
• The harried cider producer was ___
• Tough newspaper editor threatened by severe competition
• In a hurry to go after firm in financial difficulties
• In difficulties
• Closely pursued
• In financial difficulty Hare's down having lost two euros
• Firm insisted, being in difficulties
• In difficulties - hurt, cut, despondent, short of energy
• In difficulties or tension