chips are down

They may lie all the time, but when the chips are down, they gaslight.

When the chips are down — when he can’t get a solo career off the ground or a regular gig — Slick checks his ego and sells timeshares to make ends meet.

And we have both found comfort in the companionship of cats, known for self-sufficiency but also, quiet as it’s kept, quite loving and dependable when the chips are down.

He also has Galvin, who might be a better pick when the chips are down.

When the chips are down, Dougie Imrie knows how to get the most out of his players.