when push comes to shove

when push comes to shove

English

Phrase

when push comes to shove

1. (idiomatic) When the pressure is on; when the situation is critical or urgent; when the time has come for action, even if it is difficult.

   He is not a particularly talented builder, but when push comes to shove, he can usually get the job done.

Translations

when the pressure is on

Czech: když dojde na lámání chleba Dutch: als puntje bij paaltje komt Finnish: kun on pakko; tosipaikan tullen German: wenn es ernst wird, wenn es hart auf hart kommt

Norwegian: Bokmål: når det kommer til stykket (no) Russian: когда́ как сле́дует прижмёт (kogdá kak slédujet prižmjót) Spanish: cuando las papas queman Swedish: när det kommer till kritan (sv) Arabic: عندما يجدّ الجدّ

See also

• in a pinch
• nut-cutting time
• when the chips are down
• when the gloves come off