What Does "When the Chips Are Down" Mean?
"When the chips are down" is an English idiom. It means "in a difficult or critical situation."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "when the chips are down" used in a sentence:- She always performs well when the chips are down.
- You can count on him when the chips are down.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "When the Chips Are Down" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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