Have had your chips

usgb
phrase

To be in a situation where failure is imminent.

I'm afraid our team has had its chips, we cannot win this game now.
Visual representation of "have had your chips" - To be in a situation where failure is imminent.

Often appears as...

  • you have had your chips!
  • they've had their chips

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "have had your chips"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Imminent Failure

Use it when something is about to fail or end very soon, not just facing problems.

Illustration for Imminent Failure
With all these missed deadlines, the project has had its chips.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Casual Tone

It's informal and might be used among friends or in relaxed settings, not in formal writing or speech.

Illustration for Casual Tone
After losing yet another client, I reckon we've had our chips.
LampPro Tip 3/3

British Origin

The phrase is British slang, so it's more familiar to UK speakers than to other English speakers.

Illustration for British Origin
He lost his job and flat in the same week; he's had his chips.
Visual representation of the word "Have had your chips"

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