be put to it
To be under strain, stress, or difficulty. Our entire team has been put to it to finish the project before the Christmas deadline. I need a vacation—I'm really put to it lately.
put to it
strained or exhausted. Man, I'm really put to it! What a day! John was put to it to get there on time.
put to it, be
Be confronted with a severe difficulty, as in I was put to it to finish this book on time. This usage is derived from the active sense of put to it, that is, "force or challenge someone to something." [c. 1600]
put to it
mod. in trouble or difficulty; hard up (for something such as money). (As if one’s back were put to the wall.) Sorry, I can’t lend you anything. I’m a bit put to it this month.
put to it
To cause extreme difficulty for: We were put to it to finish the book on time.