The phrase "be hard put" means to be faced with a difficult situation or decision. There are several synonyms that can be used to convey a similar meaning, such as "be in a bind," "be in a tight spot," "be in a fix," "be at a loss," "be perplexed," "be confounded," or "be stumped." All of these expressions indicate that a person is struggling to find a solution to a problem, or that they are having trouble making a decision. Whether you use "be hard put" or one of these synonyms, the meaning is clear: someone is facing a challenging situation.