PhrasesHub

When it comes to the crunch

    Definitions

      • when a situation becomes critical or crucial
        to emphasize that a decision or action needs to be taken in a difficult or important situation

      • when a situation becomes difficult
        to highlight the point when a difficult or challenging situation arises

    Examples of When it comes to the crunch

    • Despite struggling throughout the project, Jane rose to the occasion when it came to the crunch and ultimately delivered a fantastic presentation to the board.

      "When it comes to the crunch" is a figurative idiom that means "in a critical or decisive situation" in this context. By using this idiom, we understand that the presentation to the board was a critical or decisive moment for Jane's success in the project. "Rose to the occasion" is another idiom that means "responded positively or admirably to a challenging situation". Together, these idiomatic expressions convey a sense of Jane's resilience, determination, and ability to perform under pressure.

    • John may have made a few mistakes during the rehearsal, but when it came to the crunch, he nailed his part and received a standing ovation from the audience.

      This example highlights the significance of "When it comes to the crunch" in a performance or event. Here, we know that the final performance was a critical or decisive moment for John's success as a performer, and he delivered an outstanding and memorable performance. "Nailed his part" and "standing ovation" are expressions that convey John's exceptional performance, and they paint a vivid picture of the audience's reaction.

    • The team had been working on a high-pressure project for months, and when it came to the crunch, Sarah's strategic thinking and quick decision-making skills proved invaluable to the team's success.

      We again see the use of "When it comes to the crunch" in a high-pressure situation. By using this idiom, we realize that the project's final moments were decisive and critical for the team's success. "Sarah's strategic thinking" and "quick decision-making skills" are expressions that describe Sarah's strengths in a critical situation. These, combined with "When it comes to the crunch", convey a sense of Sarah's professionalism and ability to handle high-pressure situations.

    • Even though the project was running behind schedule, Max remained confident that everything would fall into place when it came to the crunch.

      This example shows how "When it comes to the crunch" can be used in a more positive and hopeful context. Here, we understand that Max believes that the final moments of the project will be critical and decisive, and that everything will fall into place at that point. "Max remained confident" is an idiomatic expression that means "Max remained optimistic or hopeful", and it tells us that Max is confident in his abilities to handle the final moments of the project positively.In each of these examples, "When it comes to the crunch" is applied in different contexts, and it enables us to understand the critical and decisive nature of these situations. These idiomatic examples help convey the idiom's meaning and usage in a clear and concise manner.

    • She may be shy and reserved in social situations, but when it comes to the crunch of an important business decision, she is confident and assertive.

      This idiom means that in crucial or critical situations, this person's true abilities and personality emerge. Here, it suggests that the person mentioned in the example can handle intense and critical business situations with confidence and authority.

    • They may have had their disagreements in the past, but when it comes to the crunch of a challenging project, they work as a team and support each other.

      This idiom emphasizes that in significant or challenging situations, these individuals put aside their differences and work together as a team. It implies that in a project that requires a lot of effort and focus, they can overcome their differences and collaborate effectively.

    • When it comes to the crunch of completing the project, he takes charge, delegates tasks, and ensures that everything is done on time.

      This idiom highlights the person's proactive and decisive attitude in significant situations. It suggests that in crucial situations, this person takes control, plans, and executes efficiently to ensure that the project is completed on time.

    • She may have procrastinated in the past, but when it comes to the crunch of meeting a tight deadline, she pulls all-nighters and delivers the work on time.

      This idiom shows that in critical situations, this person shows dedication and hard work to meet the deadline. It highlights that in situations where there is no time to spare, this person is committed and perseveres to complete the task on time.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "When it comes to the crunch" is used to emphasize the critical or crucial nature of a situation, indicating that a decision or action needs to be taken. It can also be used to highlight the point when a difficult or challenging situation arises, emphasizing the need for action or resolution.

    Origin of "When it comes to the crunch"

    The origin of the idiom "When it comes to the crunch" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated from the world of sports, specifically cricket. In cricket, the "crunch" refers to a critical moment in the game, such as when a team needs to score a certain number of runs to win. The phrase may have been adopted into everyday language to convey the idea of a decisive or crucial moment in any situation. Over time, it has come to be used in a variety of contexts to emphasize the critical nature of a particular moment or decision.