psychological moment

American  

noun

1. the proper or critical time for achieving a desired result.

   She found the right psychological moment to make her request.

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psychological moment British  

noun

1. the most appropriate time for producing a desired effect

   he proposed to her at the psychological moment

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Etymology

Origin of psychological moment

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Granted, that may only be for a couple of hours, with Pep Guardiola's side facing Burnley at Turf Moor at 15:00 BST, but it still represents a significant psychological moment.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2022

The Times was suitably impressed by his "knowledge of human nature, and an extremely shrewd application of business principles in securing the advantage at the psychological moment".

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2019

How they fare over this block feels like an important psychological moment in the life of the team this season.

From The Guardian • Jan. 14, 2016

Bradman let his tail flail away for 30 minutes, taking Australia's score up to 200 for 9 and then, and at what he thought was "the appropriate psychological moment", he declared.

From The Guardian • May 9, 2013

This fact strengthened by the forceful intellectuality, and the magnetic sympathy of Dr. Wilson, brought about the subsequent rapid growth of Presbyterianism, and proved that the psychological moment had arrived for its development here.

From Historic Fredericksburg The Story of an Old Town by Goolrick, John T.