when the chips are down
Meaning
when the chips are down
(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.
Synonyms
Examples
‘If, however, you do not see eye-to-eye with your investors then their rights - particularly when the chips are down - can become a restriction on the development of your business.’
‘It is like a family, and when the chips are down, everybody is there and just sort of mucks in,’ she says.’