when the chips are down

短语

发音

UK
AU

释义与例句

phr.
  1. 1.

    When the pressure is on; when the situation is urgent or critical.

    习语

    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.

词源

From the game of poker, in which chips laid down on the table are staked.

来源：wiktionary