From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
tight spot (plural tight spots)
- (idiomatic) A difficult position.
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:difficult situation
1992 October 21, Murray Chass, “Jays Squeeze Out of Tight Spot Into a 2-1 Lead”, in The New York Times[1], →ISSN:Jays Squeeze Out of Tight Spot Into a 2-1 Lead [title]
1997 August 14, Steven Greenhouse, “Pension Plan Puts Teamsters' Chief in Tight Spot”, in The New York Times[2], →ISSN:The company's proposal has placed Mr. Carey in a tight spot in the strike by 185,000 United Parcel workers.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see tight, spot.