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

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Johnson was pivotal in all of those wins, impressing Boyle with his poise in the clutch. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 6 Dec. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for in the clutch

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Cite this Entry

“In the clutch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20the%20clutch. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.

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