1814, from craunch (1630s), probably of imitative origin. Related: Crunched; crunching. The noun is 1836, from the verb; the sense of "critical moment" was popularized 1939 by Winston Churchill, who had used it in his 1938 biography of Marlborough.
实用例句
1. If it comes to the crunch, I'll resign over this.
必要时,我会为此而辞职。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He can rely on my support when the crunch comes.
关键时刻,他可以依靠我的支持。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The Prime Minister is expected to call a crunch meeting on Monday.
预计首相将于周一召开紧急会议。
来自柯林斯例句
4. She heard the crunch of tires on the gravel driveway.