when the chips are down

US /wɛn ðə tʃɪps ɑr daʊn/
UK /wɛn ðə tʃɪps ɑr daʊn/
"when the chips are down" picture
1.

quand les choses se corsent, quand la situation est difficile

when a situation is difficult or serious

:
You'll see who your true friends are when the chips are down.
Tu verras qui sont tes vrais amis quand les choses se corsent.
He always performs best when the chips are down.
Il est toujours le meilleur quand les choses se corsent.