crunch time

American  

1. a period of intense pressure; a critical situation.

   It's crunch time for high-tech companies.

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crunch time Idioms  

1. A period when pressure to succeed is great, often toward the end of an undertaking. For example, It's crunch time—we only have two more days to finish. This term employs crunch in the sense of “a critical situation or test.” [Slang; 1970s]

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Etymology

Origin of crunch time

1975–80

Example Sentences

They are decidedly un-clutch, making big mistakes in crunch time.

From Los Angeles Times

It sounds like you have been operating on crunch time for these upcoming shows.

From Los Angeles Times

It's approaching crunch time in the show, with the grand final taking place on 20 December.

From BBC

For the German companies standing ready to produce, store and move green hydrogen, it's now crunch time.

From BBC

They are convinced golf is approaching a crunch time.

From BBC