in the clutch
idiom
US
: in a very important or critical situation especially during a sports competition
He is known for his ability to come through in the clutch.
She scored a basket in the clutch.
Examples of in the clutch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The 2016 All-Star had a penchant for coming through in the clutch, earning 2018 ALCS MVP honors after tallying nine RBI in five games, including a grand slam in Game 3 and the go-ahead home run in Game 4.
—
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
In a back-and-forth third set, the Maroons continued to thrive in the clutch, eliminating a 20-16 Carroll lead with a strong 9-3 run.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Nov. 2025
Critics questioned his ability to deliver in the clutch.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Ohtani pitched the first two and a half innings of Game 7 and also delivered big home runs in the clutch in earlier games.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
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Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 30 Nov. 2025
In a back-and-forth third set, the Maroons continued to thrive in the clutch, eliminating a 20-16 Carroll lead with a strong 9-3 run.
—Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Nov. 2025
Critics questioned his ability to deliver in the clutch.
—The Athletic Nba Staff, New York Times, 11 Nov. 2025
Ohtani pitched the first two and a half innings of Game 7 and also delivered big home runs in the clutch in earlier games.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in the clutch
Cite this Entry
“In the clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20clutch. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.
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