Placed where difficult situations are faced (2,3,3,4)
I believe the answer is:
in the hot seat
'placed where difficult situations are faced' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(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" .)