crunch time

1. a period of intense pressure; a critical situation: Compare crunch ( def 10 ).

   It's crunch time for high-tech companies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of crunch time¹

1975–80

Idioms and Phrases

A period when pressure to succeed is great, often toward the end of an undertaking. For example, It's crunch time—we only have two more days to finish . This term employs crunch in the sense of “a critical situation or test.” [ Slang ; 1970s]

Example Sentences

“It’s getting down to crunch time, we’ve only got a couple-game lead, and they’re coming in,” Betts said of the Padres.

From Los Angeles Times

But it wasn’t just that he did it, but how he did it, transforming crunch time into exclamation points.

From Los Angeles Times

All elite athletes rely on practice, years of doing the same thing over and over, to keep them relaxed and confident in crunch time.

From Los Angeles Times

“Our planet is trying to tell us something. But we don’t seem to be listening. We’re shattering global temperature records and reaping the whirlwind. It’s climate crunch time. Now is the time to mobilize, act and deliver.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s crunch time for this trial, but let’s take a step back and remind ourselves what’s at the heart of it.

From BBC