when the chips are down

Meaning

1. Oxford100% of films

   used to refer to a difficult situation in which you are forced to decide what is important to you

   When the chips are down, these-- These civilized people...

In the movies · 1

• When the chips are down, these-- These civilized people...The Dark Knight2008
• A smoker's a smoker when the chips are down.Sin City2005

From the same entry

• a chip off the old block
• have a chip on your shoulder
• have had your chips
• cash in your chips
• chip away at
• chip in
• chip off