crunch time
12
4.2
- noun
- /krʌntʃ taɪm/
- Informal
:
hora de la verdad
- As the competition deadline loomed, the team realized it was crunch time and they needed to finalize their presentation.
- Crunch time comes
- getting to crunch time
- deliver in crunch time
So crunch time, it's it's kicking in.
- So crunch time, it's it's kicking in.
Examples
-
Normally, I would have announced it by now... but I'm into crunch time with schoolwork.
Blog text (26) -
Around the third year of a Ph.D. program, I was approaching the crunch time of a dissertation decision—not only what topic to choose, but whether to even bother.
Academic text (2007) -
It's crunch time at the climate change conference in Paris.
-
I just love seeing a team with guys who want the ball during crunch time.
Blog text (32) -
We are really in crunch time and need your support!
Blog text (11) -
Next week will be crunch time as millions of people across the country...
Blog text (15) -
Next week will be crunch time as millions of people across the country cast ballots.
Blog text (15) -
You're speaking to us in quite a nervous state because we're just approaching crunch time.
-
Today's NFL is about teams who are able to exert their strengths or will in crunch time.
Blog text (23) -
With the project deadline approaching, everyone knew it was crunch time and they had to work overtime.
Synonyms
45
6.0
A situation when there is not enough time or money
32
7.0
A tense moment when someone must act to decide the result
8
4.5
A situation where people must finish something quickly before it is too late
A struggle to finish something before time runs out
Antonyms
How Critical
- Informal
1
6.0
∞
3.1
- Informal
12
4.2
490
1.8
∞
1.0
- Specialized
46
4.1
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'a critical period requiring intense effort' is directly derivable from combining 'crunch' (a pressing shortage/pressure) with 'time' (a period), yielding 'a time of pressure'. This noun+noun composition follows ordinary English compounding patterns and is likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
Crunch time comes from the image of crunch — a hard, noisy bite and the idea of 'crunching numbers' when people work fast under pressure. That's why crunch time means the 'time to work hard' when you must hurry to finish something on time.