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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Let the season breathe more and understand that in crunch time — at the end of halves and games — Williams has been pretty good. Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024 While both parties enter crunch time in what has been deemed by some to be one of the closest elections in the nation’s history, Musk has been becoming all the more of an oversized figure in the race. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024 The advice comes as travelers are expected to spend more on holiday travel this year and as crunch time to book flights quickly approaches. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2024 With less than a minute left in regulation and the Knicks up four, Brunson, who’d carved up the Sixer defense all afternoon, took out his sword and did it once more, knifing into the lane, this time inexplicably uncontested in crunch time for a floater at the rim. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 28 Apr. 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 14 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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