when the chips are down

From the game of poker: chips laid down on the table are staked.

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when the chips are down

1. (idiomatic) When the pressure is on; when the situation is urgent or critical

   He wasn't a very talented musician but, when the chips were down, he played well.

   When the chips are down, you need to make tough decisions.

   • 1950 June 26, Washburn, Alex H., “Korea — Sound of War”, in Hope Star‎, volume 51, number 214, Hope, Ark., page 1, column 1:

     The armed forces of North Korea, which borders on and is allied with Russian Manchuria, marched into the U. S.-sponsored South Korea Republic over the week-end — and the chips are down for American prestige throughout the Far East.

• in a pinch
• when push comes to shove
• when the gloves come off