when the chips are down
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From the game of poker, in which chips laid down on the table are staked.
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (UK): (file) Audio (General Australian): (file)
Phrase
[edit]- (idiomatic) When the pressure is on; when the situation is urgent or critical.
- He wasn't a very talented musician but, when the chips were down, he played well.
- When the chips are down, you need to make tough decisions.
- 1950 June 26, Alex H. Washburn, “Korea — Sound of War”, in Hope Star[1], volume 51, number 214, Hope, Ark., page 1, column 1:
- The armed forces of North Korea, which borders on and is allied with Russian Manchuria, marched into the U. S.-sponsored South Korea Republic over the week-end — and the chips are down for American prestige throughout the Far East.
- 1968 December 8, Henry Cosby, Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder (lyrics and music), “I’d Be a Fool Right Now”, in For Once in My Life, performed by Stevie Wonder:
- They say that when the chips are down, girl
Your love won't stay so long, my friend
But they don't know that your sweet loving, babe
Has been around through thick and thin