expression, noun, adverb

  1. at the critical moment, when the time comes, when it's most important, when necessary, in an emergency, when push comes to shove.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
 
 
 
いざという時 いざというとき
 
 
 
 
いざと言う時 いざというとき

Contained Kanji Breakdown

time, hour
ジ とき と (2nd, N5)
day, sun, Japan
ひ にっ ニチ (1st, N5)
Buddhist temple
てら ジ (2nd, N2)
soil, earth, ground
ド つち は (1st, N5)
measurement, tenth of a shaku, a little
スン す みき (6th, N1)