in the throes of sth experiencing or doing something that is difficult, unpleasant, or painful处于…的困境之中;处于…的苦难中;处于…的动荡时期
The country is presently in the throes of the worst recession since the Second World War.该国目前正处在二战以来最萧条动荡的时期。
He's in the throes of a mid-life crisis that makes him pretty hard to live with.他正处于中年危机的痛苦时期,很难与他一起生活。