when the chips are down可不是“当薯条下降时”，chip这个词有“（作赌注用的）筹码”的意思，这个短语真实含义是“紧急关头;关键时刻”。

【例句】
Harold complains quite a lot, but when the chips are down he always defends his company and is really very loyal. 哈罗德常常抱怨不断，但在紧急关头，他总是护卫着他的公司，他的确非常忠诚。

I'm not sure what I'll do when the chips are down.
我拿不准到了关键时刻我会干出些什么事来。