the rubber meets the road

Alternative forms

 * South Africa
 * South Africa

Etymology
A metaphor derived from the point of contact between automobile tires and pavement.

Phrase

 * 1)  A place or circumstance at which the implementation of a plan or intent is to be achieved.
 * 1)  A place or circumstance at which the implementation of a plan or intent is to be achieved.
 * 1)  A place or circumstance at which the implementation of a plan or intent is to be achieved.

Usage notes

 * almost always used with "that", "when", or "where".