Translation guide
Expresses the idea that when a situation becomes critical or action is unavoidable, the true outcome or behavior will be revealed. Japanese uses conditional structures and set phrases rather than a single direct equivalent.
To say that when things get serious or a decision must be made, something will happen or someone will act in a certain way.
A common phrase meaning 'when it comes to the crunch' or 'when the time comes'. It implies that when a situation becomes real or urgent, things may be different from usual.
彼はいざとなると頼りになる。
He can be relied on when push comes to shove.
いざとなると、誰も助けてくれなかった。
When push came to shove, nobody helped me.
To express that something will be done only if the situation forces it.
A grammatical pattern meaning 'have no choice but to do'. Used when circumstances compel an action.
いざとなれば、引っ越さざるを得ない。
If push comes to shove, we'll have to move.
Both are very common and often interchangeable. いざとなると is a conjunction-like phrase meaning 'when it actually happens', while いざという時 is a noun phrase meaning 'emergency/critical time' and often takes particles like に or には.
いざとなると緊張する。
I get nervous when push comes to shove.
いざという時に備える。
Prepare for when push comes to shove.
There is no direct Japanese equivalent of 'when push comes to shove'. Translating it word-for-word will result in unnatural Japanese. Use the phrases above depending on context.
Literally 'the time when you say いざ', meaning an emergency or critical moment. Often used with に or には.
いざという時のために貯金しておく。
I'm saving money for when push comes to shove.
いざという時には彼が助けてくれる。
He'll help me when push comes to shove.
Means 'at the crucial moment' or 'when it counts'. Emphasizes a decisive moment where one must act.
ここぞという時に力を発揮する。
He shows his strength when push comes to shove.
Literally 'at the last moment/ditch'. Conveys the idea of a situation becoming unavoidable or desperate.
土壇場になって彼は逃げ出した。
When push came to shove, he ran away.
Means 'there is no choice but to do'. More casual than ざるを得ない.
いざとなったら、逃げるしかない。
When push comes to shove, we'll just have to run.