pressing into service

Verb

press into service (third-person singular simple present presses into service, present participle pressing into service, simple past and past participle pressed into service)

1. (idiomatic) To make someone perform a task or duty, especially one they are not prepared or willing to do; to make something serve a function, especially one it was not designed or intended for.
   • Anyone with basic first-aid training was pressed into service as a triage nurse after the earthquake.

   Synonyms:

   army volunteer