in the clutch
idiom
US
: in a very important or critical situation especially during a sports competition
He is known for his ability to come through in the clutch.
She scored a basket in the clutch.
Examples of in the clutch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What makes Irving the perfect star to pair with Doncic is his ability to understand the fine balance between hunting for his own shot in the clutch while also empowering Doncic to do the same.
—
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2024
Lopez once again came through in the clutch in Monday’s series-opening win against the Milwaukee Brewers.
—Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 22 May 2024
The series finale mimicked the opener, with the Timberwolves’ offense coming alive in the second half and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid delivering in the clutch.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 19 May 2024
Taylor has been a Dodger for almost a decade, come through in the clutch in the postseason, and was rewarded with a four-year, $60 million deal after the 2021 season – which limits what the Dodgers will want to do with him, right?
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 16 May 2024
The score would have been more lopsided if the Dodgers’ $700-million man had delivered in the clutch.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Chiefs coach Andy Reid was full of praise for Mahomes after Sunday’s win, crediting the star for getting the team over the line in the clutch moments.
—Ben Church, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024
For Winters Mill coach Dave Wynne, the game came down to the Knights stepping up in the clutch moments.
—Mike Frainie, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2024
The senior buried eight consecutive free throws in the clutch to end McClatchy’s Cinderella run.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 May 2024
Lopez once again came through in the clutch in Monday’s series-opening win against the Milwaukee Brewers.
—Isaac Azout, Miami Herald, 22 May 2024
The series finale mimicked the opener, with the Timberwolves’ offense coming alive in the second half and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid delivering in the clutch.
—Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 19 May 2024
Taylor has been a Dodger for almost a decade, come through in the clutch in the postseason, and was rewarded with a four-year, $60 million deal after the 2021 season – which limits what the Dodgers will want to do with him, right?
—Mirjam Swanson, Orange County Register, 16 May 2024
The score would have been more lopsided if the Dodgers’ $700-million man had delivered in the clutch.
—Mike Digiovanna, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2024
Chiefs coach Andy Reid was full of praise for Mahomes after Sunday’s win, crediting the star for getting the team over the line in the clutch moments.
—Ben Church, CNN, 13 Feb. 2024
For Winters Mill coach Dave Wynne, the game came down to the Knights stepping up in the clutch moments.
—Mike Frainie, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2024
The senior buried eight consecutive free throws in the clutch to end McClatchy’s Cinderella run.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in the clutch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in the clutch
Cite this Entry
“In the clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20clutch. Accessed 1 Jun. 2024.
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