Comes to the crunch

Meaning

The idiom "comes to the crunch" means that a situation or decision has reached a critical point where choices must be made and consequences will be felt. It can also imply that there is a sudden, intense pressure or focus on achieving something.

Usage

• When the company's profits started declining, management knew they had to make some tough decisions and it finally came to the crunch.
• After years of planning, the couple decided to take the plunge and move to the countryside. But when they found out that their dream home was too expensive, they realized it was time to come to the crunch.
• The athlete had been training hard for months, but during the final competition, he didn't perform as well as he had hoped. It wasn't until the last second that he had to come to the crunch and execute his plan perfectly.
• When the pandemic hit, many small businesses struggled to stay afloat. But after months of cutting costs and finding new ways to survive, it was finally time for them to come to the crunch and make some tough decisions.
• The couple had been planning their wedding for a year, but when they found out that the venue was booked on their chosen date, they had to come to the crunch and find a backup plan.

Roots and History

The idiom "comes to the crunch" dates back to the 17th century and is believed to have originated in England. The term "crunch" refers to a hard or sharp sound, and was likely used to describe a situation where choices had to be made quickly and decisively. Over time, the idiom has come to take on a more general meaning of any situation that requires intense focus or pressure to achieve a goal.

Synonyms in English

• At a crossroads
• At a deadlock
• At a critical juncture
• At a turning point
• At a pivotal moment

Synonyms in other languages

• En français: "à un tournant" - This idiom means "at a turning point".
• In Spanish: "en una situación crítica" - This idiom means "in a critical situation".
• In German: "an einer entscheidenden Stelle" - This idiom means "on a decisive point".
• In Italian: "in una posizione difficile" - This idiom means "in a difficult position".
• In Portuguese: "em uma junta crítica" - This idiom means "at a critical juncture".

Similar Idioms

• closed book

• crystal clear

• on a roll