on the crunch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the crunch" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that means experiencing a difficult or challenging situation, typically related to financial or business matters. Example: "Our company is on the crunch due to the economic downturn caused by the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

A year on, the crunch continues.

The Economist

For example, I'm big on the crunch and perfume of raw fennel.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Watkins of Weichert said he thinks it most important to focus on the "crunch time" of closing, though.

The New York Times

Last Sunday they came up just short in the weekend's big game - their home tie against champions Munster - which delivered in spades on the crunch front.

The Guardian - Sport

Nor did he touch more than glancingly on the crunch issue -- whether Iraq will admit to having some banned weapons programs, as Mr. Bush and Britain's prime minister, Tony Blair, have claimed insistently, or deny the existence of any clandestine weapons work, as other Iraqi leaders have maintained.

The New York Times

Obvious disclaimer: All of us here on the Crunch team are at all times primarily concerned with the well-being of all our friends, family members, and the millions of unrelated noobs who call Southern California home.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It's come to the crunch on prison costs and prison numbers.

The Guardian - Opinion

When it comes to the crunch on this debate, the SRU must take the lead and drive change.

BBC

Author John Lanchester, whose take on the credit crunch is published at the start of February, also shares his thoughts.

The Guardian - Business

Surely Federer won't crumble on his serve at the crunch again?

The Guardian - Sport

She started working on it before the crunch and I wondered how she did that.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the crunch" when referring to a situation where resources, especially financial ones, are strained or limited. It effectively conveys a sense of urgency and difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "on the crunch" to describe situations that are merely inconvenient or slightly challenging. It's best reserved for scenarios involving significant pressure or scarcity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the crunch" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate a state of pressure or difficulty, particularly concerning resources or finances. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and is shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Lifestyle

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on the crunch" is a prepositional phrase used to describe situations characterized by significant pressure or scarcity, particularly in financial or resource-related contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show its prevalence in news and media. While versatile, it's best used when conveying a sense of urgency and difficulty. Related phrases include "facing a crisis" and "under pressure", offering nuanced alternatives for different shades of meaning. When writing, remember to reserve this term for situations involving significant strain, and you'll use this phrase correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing a crisis

Focuses on the crisis aspect, less specific about the nature of the difficulty.

under pressure

Highlights the stress and strain of a challenging situation.

in a tight spot

Emphasizes the restrictive and uncomfortable nature of the situation.

in dire straits

Suggests a more severe and perilous situation.

at a critical juncture

Emphasizes the importance and decisiveness of the moment.

experiencing hardship

Focuses on the difficulty and suffering involved.

in a period of austerity

Specifically refers to a time of economic constraint and belt-tightening.

at the breaking point

Suggests the situation is about to collapse or become unsustainable.

up against it

An informal way of saying facing a difficult challenge.

in the thick of it

Highlights being deeply involved in a challenging situation.

FAQs

How can I use "on the crunch" in a sentence?

You can use "on the crunch" to describe a situation where there is a significant strain or pressure, especially financially. For example, "The company is "on the crunch" due to the economic downturn".

What's a similar phrase to "on the crunch"?

Similar phrases include "facing a crisis", "under pressure", or "in a tight spot". Each conveys a sense of difficulty or challenge.

Is it grammatically correct to say "on the crunch"?

Yes, "on the crunch" is grammatically correct and idiomatic, particularly in contexts relating to economic or resource constraints.

When is it appropriate to use "on the crunch" instead of "facing difficulties"?

"On the crunch" is more appropriate when emphasizing a specific point of strain or scarcity, while "facing difficulties" is a more general term for challenges. "On the crunch" often implies an impending or current critical situation.