when the chips are down

From the game of poker, in which chips laid down on the table are staked.

• "He wasn't a very talented musician but, when the chips were down, he played well."
• "When the chips are down, you need to make tough decisions."
• "The armed forces of North Korea, which borders on and is allied with Russian Manchuria, marched into the U. S.-sponsored South Korea Republic over the week-end — and the chips are down for American prestige throughout the Far East."
• "They say that when the chips are down, girl Your love won't stay so long, my friend But they don't know that your sweet loving, babe Has been around through thick and thin"
• "“Lucian and Monte basically said to me, ‘Whatever you turn in, we will be proud to put out. We give you 100% creative freedom and trust.’” It was exactly what she needed to hear most when the chips were down."

• in a pinch
• when push comes to shove
• when the gloves come off