when the chips are down

when the chips are down
when the chips are down
Fig. at the final, critical moment; when things really get difficult. •

When the chips are down, I know that I can depend on Jean to help out.

I knew you would come and help when the chips were down.

* * *
{adv. cl.}, {informal} When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. * /Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game when the chips were down./ * /When the chips were down, the two countries decided not to have war./ (From the fact that in gambling games, a person puts chips or money down in front of him to show that he is willing to risk an amount in a bet.)

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • when the chips are down — At a moment of crisis or critically important time • • • Main Entry: ↑chip * * * when the chips are down spoken phrase used for saying what happens when a situation becomes difficult or reaches an important point When the chips are down, you… …   Useful english dictionary

  • when the chips are down — {adv. cl.}, {informal} When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. * /Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game when the chips were down./ * /When the chips were down, the two… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • when the chips are down — when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation, especially one which tests whether you can trust people or which shows people s true opinions. When the chips are down, you need people around you that you can depend on. When the chips were… …   New idioms dictionary

  • when the chips are down — when the right decision must be made, when you must win    When the chips are down when we are losing we play better. We need to be challenged …   English idioms

  • when the chips are down — ► when the chips are down informal when a very serious situation arises. Main Entry: ↑chip …   English terms dictionary

  • when the chips are down — 1) the time when one faces the greatest obstacles When the chips were down he went to his father for advice and received his encouragement. 2) at the most important or dangerous time, when the winner and loser of a bet or a game will be decided… …   Idioms and examples

  • when the chips are down — spoken used for saying what happens when a situation becomes difficult or reaches an important point When the chips are down, you won t get any help from her …   English dictionary

  • when\ the\ chips\ are\ down — adv cl. informal When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. Tom hit a home run in the last inning of the game when the chips were down. When the chips were down, the two countries decided… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • when the chips are down — informal when a very serious situation arises. → chip …   English new terms dictionary

  • chips are down — 1) the time when one faces the greatest obstacles When the chips were down he went to his father for advice and received his encouragement. 2) at the most important or dangerous time, when the winner and loser of a bet or a game will be decided… …   Idioms and examples

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