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.
Boston made just one shot over the final 4:51 of the game – a Tatum dunk with 1:41 to play – but missed their other 10 shots in crunch time. Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2024 Come crunch time in the face-to-face meeting, Bevilaqua shockingly pulls out the piece and whacks Chickie. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 17 Nov. 2024 And similar to this game, a rookie quarterback’s great drive in crunch time was all for naught. Scott Thompson, Fox News, 17 Nov. 2024 Ironically, there was another offensive rebound that swung the game against the Huskies in crunch time. Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 26 Nov. 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 8 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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