the chips are down

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformal

   used to describe a moment of serious trouble or danger, when things have gone badly and a lot is at risk.

   Grammar: Used after a linking verb, usually as 'the chips are down' or 'when the chips are down'; it describes a situation, not a person.

   Patterns

   • when the chips are down
   • the chips are down for someone

   When the chips are down, you find out who your real friends are.

   The chips were down for the whole team after they lost their main player.

   She stays calm even when the chips are down.

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformal

   used to talk about how people behave at a difficult, testing moment, especially when they show courage or loyalty.

   Grammar: Often introduced by 'when' and followed by a clause about someone's behavior; the phrase sets the scene rather than naming an action.

   Patterns

   • when the chips are down, someone does something
   • someone does something when the chips are down

   When the chips are down, he always keeps his promises.

   The chips are down, and that is when good leaders step forward.

   You learn a lot about people when the chips are down.

Common combinations

when the chips are down

When the chips are down, she works even harder.

the chips are down for someone

The chips are down for the company after that bad report.

with the chips down

With the chips down, the coach changed the whole team.

the chips are really down

The chips are really down now, so we must act fast.

stay calm when the chips are down

Good players stay calm when the chips are down.

Synonyms and how they differ

in a tight spot

Describes being in a difficult position, but it focuses on the position itself rather than on a testing moment of risk.

when push comes to shove

Also marks a critical moment, but it stresses that a decision or action must finally be taken, not that things have gone badly.

in dire straits

Stronger and more formal; it means serious trouble, often financial, and does not carry the idea of a moment that tests character.

Word family

chip noun

a small flat piece, or a counter used in gambling games.

chips noun

plural of 'chip'; also the counters or stakes in a game.

Commonly confused: the chips are down or the ball is in someone's court? the chips are down or the die is cast?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “the chips are down”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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