Idiom of the day :- Chips are down ( the )

Usage, examples and definition of the Idiom :-

A point during an important situation when you are forced to make a decision or take action. A : I heard about a woman who survived a plane crash in the jungle and had to live for three weeks on worms and insects ! I could never do that — I’d rather starve to death. B : I disagree. I think that if the chips were down you’d eat anything. A : Perhaps you’re right. After all I do eat your cooking ! This expression originates from gambling. Bets are sometimes placed in the form of plastic counters called chips. when the chips are down or placed on the table the game is at a critical point because the players have committed heir money.