moment of truth
Americannoun
-
the moment in a bullfight at which the matador is about to make the kill.
-
the moment at which one's character, courage, skill, etc., is put to an extreme test; critical moment.
noun
-
a moment when a person or thing is put to the test
-
the point in a bullfight when the matador is about to kill the bull
Etymology
Origin of moment of truth
First recorded in 1930–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The moment of truth came on June 16, 1994, when the opening game was held, by chance, at Soldier Field in my adopted hometown of Chicago.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
The other way small-caps could outperform is if AI stocks have a moment of truth.
From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025
"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."
From BBC • May 28, 2025
The moment of truth arrived … and Bella Jones rose to the occasion.
From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2025
Penelope said nothing, although inside she began to feel the kind of fluttery, nervous tummy that she supposed every master criminal felt as the moment of truth grew near.
From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.