clutch time
When stakes peak
Clutch time is the final minutes of a close game when pressure is highest and performance matters most.
The phrase comes from sports, especially basketball, where clutch time typically means the last five minutes with the score within five points: He always performs in clutch time.
The term extends to any high-stakes moment demanding composure under pressure.
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- pressureForce upon contact
- pressure cookerSealed pot using steam
- buzzer-beaterScore at the horn
- fourth quarterLast of four segments
overtime · high-stakes · game-winner · final seconds · nail-biter · tension · nerves · nerves of steel · ice-cold · composure · heroics · momentum · last-ditch · do-or-die · playoff · championship · Kobe · Jordan
- crunch timedo or die, do-or-die, last chance, now or never, make or break
- game periodsquarter, half, period, inning, set
- pressureair pressure, blood pressure rise, blood pressure drop, barometric pressure, apply pressure
clutch timegarbage time
Blowout's concluding stretch
junk time · blowout · foregone conclusion · running clock · walkover
clutch timegarbage time
Blowout's concluding stretch
preseason · scrimmage · exhibition game · practice · warm-up
clutch, clutches, clutched, clutching, time, times, timed, timing, timer