choke under pressure

"Choke under pressure" refers to a situation where someone becomes visibly anxious or nervous in high-stakes moments, causing a decline in their performance. Despite having the skills or knowledge, their fear of failure triggers stress that hampers their ability to perform at their best. This emotional and mental reaction can lead to mistakes, slower decision-making, or loss of confidence, making it harder to succeed during critical times. Essentially, it's when pressure causes a person to momentarily lose their composure and perform below their usual standard.