critical stage

climax crisis crossroad head juncture

decisive point

climax crisis crisis point critical juncture critical point crossroads crucial moment crunch time decisive moment defining moment do or die time emergency high noon irreversible momentum moment of truth pivotal point point of no return sink or swim time the Rubicon turning point zero hour

turning point

climacteric climax crisis critical juncture critical mass crucial point crunch defining moment moment of truth nexus pivot pivotal point point of no return