when push comes to shove

charged moment climax crucial moment crunch decisive moment defining moment fated moment fateful moment kairos kairotic moment pregnant moment turning point

Rubicon climax crossroads crunch decisive moment defining moment match point moment of truth terminus turning point

climax critical point crux culmination juncture twist

axis change climacteric contingency crisis critical mass critical moment critical period crossing crossroads crucial moment crucial occurrence crucial period crunch cusp decisive moment defining moment development emergency exigency high noon hinge kairotic moment moment of truth nexus pass peak peripeteia pinch pivot pivotal moment point of no return race against time rising action shift strait transition turn of the tide zero hour