when the chips are down

: a small usually thin and flat piece (as of wood or stone) cut, struck, or flaked off

: a small piece of food: such as

: a small, thin, crisp, usually salty piece of food typically prepared by frying, baking, or drying

: to cut or hew with an edged tool

: to cut or break (a small piece) from something

: to cut or break a fragment from

: toward or in a lower physical position

: to a lying or sitting position

: toward or to the ground, floor, or bottom

: down (see ¹down) along, around, through, toward, in, into, or on

: to cause to go or come down (see ¹down) : such as

: to cause to fall by or as if by shooting : bring down

: consume

: occupying a low position

: directed or going downward

: lower in price

: descent, depression

: an instance of putting down someone (such as an opponent in wrestling)

: a complete play to advance the ball

: an undulating usually treeless upland with sparse soil

: a sheep of any breed originating in the downs of southern England

: a covering of soft fluffy feathers

: something soft and fluffy like down

: down syndrome