moment of truth

noun

1. the moment in a bullfight at which the matador is about to make the kill.

2. the moment at which one's character, courage, skill, etc., is put to an extreme test; critical moment.

moment of truth

noun

1. a moment when a person or thing is put to the test

2. the point in a bullfight when the matador is about to kill the bull

Word History and Origins

Origin of moment of truth¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Idioms and Phrases

A critical or decisive time, at which one is put to the ultimate test, as in Now that all the bills are in, we've come to the moment of truth—can we afford to live here or not? This expression, a translation of the Spanish el momento de la verdad, signifies the point in a bullfight when the matador makes the kill. It was first used in English in Ernest Hemingway's story Death in the Afternoon (1932).

Example Sentences

Next year's elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and many English councils are shaping up to be "the moment of truth", according to some of her MPs.

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"Now the moment of truth," he smiled to the camera, with a touch of drama.

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"He was very moved during this trial... It was very important for him to confess as he did. It was a moment of truth and justice."

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The moment of truth arrived … and Bella Jones rose to the occasion.

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They lightly banter until the moment of truth.

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