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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The games often followed a familiar script, with the Lakers hanging around until the Nuggets eventually distanced themselves — often in crunch time — through a mix of shotmaking, execution, size and chemistry. Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024 Austin Reaves, one of the Lakers’ best shooters, missed two earlier in crunch time. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 22 Nov. 2024 But with Nadal serving at 1-2 and facing three break points at 0-40, the Spaniard reverted once more to the guy who knows a bit about what to do at crunch time on this court. Matthew Futterman, The Athletic, 28 July 2024 Good vibes abound: 3 Yankees takeaways Tennessee and Vanderbilt baseball facing different questions in crunch time 10 Rangers road trip observations: Panarin line struggles in Game 4, special teams battle Caitlin Clark for WNBA MVP? New York Times, 13 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for crunch time 

Word History

First Known Use

1933, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crunch time was in 1933

Dictionary Entries Near crunch time

Cite this Entry

“Crunch time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crunch%20time. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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