when the chips are down

when the chips are down
when the chips are down<非正式> 在危机时刻；在关键时刻
- It's difficult to tell who is 'average' and who is not until the chips are down. 只有到关键时刻才能区分出谁“一般”, 谁不一般。
See: chip

- 英语>简体中文, 英汉大词典

when the chips are down
adv. informal
When the winner and loser of a bet or a game are decided; at the most important or dangerous time. 〖非正式〗在决定输赢之时；在危急关头；在关键时刻。
- When the chips were down, the two countries decided not to have war. 在危急关头，两国决定不开战。