In slang context, 'apretar' is commonly used to express the need or urgency to do something or when someone is under pressure to achieve something. It's a versatile word that can also mean 'to tighten' or 'to press' in a literal sense.
Examples
- Spanish: Tienes que apretar si quieres terminar a tiempo.
- English: You need to buckle down if you want to finish on time.