Now-or-never

Pronunciation

• IPA: en, /?na???n?v?/
• IPA: en, /?na????n?v??/
• Rhymes: -en, -?v?(?)

Origin

From now or never.

OED Online|pos=adj|id=1418855485|date=July 2023

Full definition of now-or-never

Adjective

1. Of a need for a decision, an opportunity, etc.: arising at the present time and requiring action to be taken immediately, or not at all.
• Yonge Daisy Chain|chapter=XIV|page=133|passage=Margaret knew what it was to expect her visitors to return ‘in one moment,’ and with a ‘now-or-never’ feeling she began, ‘Ethel dear, wait,’ but Ethel was too impetuous to attend.