Placed where difficult situations are faced (2,3,3,4)
I believe the answer is:
in the hot seat
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">placed where difficult situations are faced</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for in the hot seat that I've seen before include "Carrying a big responsibility" , "with capital punishment imminent?" , "Uncomfortable position" , "Placed where difficult situations are faced" .)