crunch time
noun
: a critical moment or period (as near the end of a game) when decisive action is needed
Examples of crunch time in a Sentence
The team had trained well, but at crunch time they just couldn't perform.
with only three minutes left in the game, it was definitely crunch time
Recent Examples on the Web
The run, made possible in part because of five KU turnovers in the final three minutes, stretched to 15-5 as KU wilted in crunch time.
—
Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
Then, in crunch time, Daignaeult figured out how to attack coach Joe Mazzulla’s gamble to put Payton Pritchard on Gilgeous-Alexander, drawing a double team that gave Cason Wallace room to put the game to bed.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Without two primary ball handlers, the Kings offense turned isolation heavy in crunch time.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
The Knicks’ captain shoulders the NBA’s heaviest load in crunch time.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
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Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025
Then, in crunch time, Daignaeult figured out how to attack coach Joe Mazzulla’s gamble to put Payton Pritchard on Gilgeous-Alexander, drawing a double team that gave Cason Wallace room to put the game to bed.
—Jay King, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
Without two primary ball handlers, the Kings offense turned isolation heavy in crunch time.
—Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 6 Mar. 2025
The Knicks’ captain shoulders the NBA’s heaviest load in crunch time.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for crunch time
Cite this Entry
“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crunch%20time. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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