critical point
9
5.3
- noun
- /ˈkrɪtɪkəl pɔɪnt/
:
punto crítico
- We're at a very critical point in the negotiations where we must decide how to proceed.
- reach a critical point
- two critical points
We can't do research and alignment before we reach this critical point.
- We can't do research and alignment before we reach this critical point.
- And right now I'm at another critical point in my life where I've decided to make a really big bet on my businesses.
- And you know, something that you said, I think this is a critical point.
Examples
-
"Turkey has reached a very critical point."
Academic text (2009) -
So this is a really critical point about incorporating sex and gender into designs of human studies in general.
-
We're at a very critical point right now!
-
Two critical points one might make about this defense of the market are central to this paper.
Academic text (1990) -
We're at a very critical point in human history where things are about to change dramatically.
-
We stopped evolving at a critical point.
-
Pressures are approaching the critical point.
-
Strangeways jail in Manchester is said to have reached a critical point.
-
And right now I'm at another critical point in my life where I've decided to make a really big bet on my businesses.
-
They'd reached a critical point, and both were unsure of the next move.
Fiction book (2000)
Synonyms
∞
3.1
A very dangerous or difficult time when quick decisions are needed
104
3.7
A moment when an important event changes what happens next
47
6.6
A time when an important decision must be made
43
5.3
A moment when a small event causes a big, lasting change
20
5.1
A very important time when someone must show skill or courage
5
3.9
A time when you must make an important choice that affects the future
4
7.5
A moment when a situation changes in an important way
3
7.7
A time when a situation can suddenly become violent or very dangerous
2
4.9
A moment when an important change happens or people make a key decision
A moment when emotions or tension are at their highest
Antonyms
How Serious
∞
3.1
37
3.9
9
5.3
104
3.7
134
3.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a moment of crisis or an important decision point' is directly derivable from combining 'critical' (extremely important or decisive) with 'point' (a specific position or stage in time). This is a straightforward compositional pattern found across many languages (e.g., Spanish 'punto crítico', French 'point critique'), so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand the MWE.
Etymology
The phrase critical point comes from the image of being at one small point when things are critical, like standing on a narrow path where one step will change everything. That's why it means 'a moment of crisis or a situation when an important decision must be made'.