clutch moment
Do-or-die time
A clutch moment is a high-pressure situation where success or failure hangs in the balance—the final seconds of a close game, the last question of an exam, the decisive negotiation.
Someone who performs well under this pressure is said to be clutch: He hit a three-pointer in the clutch moment to win the championship.
The term comes from sports but applies anywhere stakes are high and nerves are tested.
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
- pressureForce upon contact
- under pressureExperiencing duress or stress
- decisiveQuick to conclude
- nail-biterSuspensefully close competition
high stakes · game-winner · buzzer-beater · final seconds · come through · step up · nerves · stakes · heroic · cold blooded · overtime · championship · grip · grasp · hold tight · purse · handbag · pedal
- High Stakesdo-or-die, do or die, make-or-break, make or break, life or death
- sports dramacomeback story, underdog story, rivalry, upset, buzzer beater
- crunch timecrunch time, do or die, do-or-die, last chance, now or never
- Upsetsupset, upset victory, upset win, underdog victory, underdog win
- sports fandomfans, fan chants, foam finger, jersey, fan clubs
- time pressurerush, against the clock, rushed, clock is ticking, urgency
clutch momentgarbage time
Blowout's concluding stretch
practice session · scrimmage · preseason game · blowout · regular season game
clutch, clutched, clutching, clutches, moment, moments, momentary, momentarily, momentous