when the chips are down

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR B2

Post

Example

“When the chips are down, Maya stays calm and makes careful decisions.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

bite the bullet Neutral · CEFR B2

To force yourself to do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been avoiding.

when push comes to shove Neutral · CEFR B2

when mounting pressure makes decisive action unavoidable

at a pinch Neutral · CEFR C1

if it becomes absolutely necessary, though the option is barely adequate

easier said than done Neutral · CEFR B1

Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.

hang in there Informal · CEFR B1

to persevere and not give up despite difficulty

in a tight spot Informal · CEFR B1

in a difficult or dangerous situation

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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