/ˈkɑːlər/
n. 衣领，领口；颈圈；（动物颈部颜色异样的）色圈，颈锁形条纹；箍，套管；（股票交易的）项圈策略；<英>肉卷；猪颈部的熏肉块；（植物的）根颈 v. <非正式>抓住，逮捕；<非正式>拦住（以便与之谈话）
against the collar
Difficult, exhausting, or problematic. The phrase originates from the collar on a horse’s harness, which tightens on the horse’s neck when it travels uphill. Primarily heard in UK.
- I was doing fine in the marathon, but it was a bit against the collar for the last couple miles.
- I don’t think I have time to meet you today. Work has been a bit against the collar recently.
- against the collar recently.Getting this late-breaking story finished in time for tomorrow’s newspaper was somewhat against the collar, but it’s done now, thankfully.