1. Home
2. Idioms
3. 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.

See also: chip, down

when the chips are down

when you are in a difficult or dangerous situation When the chips are down, you need people around you that you can depend on. He's like that special best friend from high school you go to when the chips are down.

See also: chip, down

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 down, she found she didn't really love him as much as she thought.

See let the chips fall where they may, spit nails

See also: chip, down

when the chips are down

When a situation is urgent or desperate, as in When the chips were down, all the children came home to help their mother. This expression comes from poker, where chips represent money being bet. When all the bets have been made, and the chips put down, the hand is over and the players turn up their cards to see who has won. [Late 1800s]

See also: chip, down

when the chips are down

At a critical or difficult time.

See also: chip, down