an economic condition in which it suddenly becomes difficult and expensive to borrow money 信贷紧缩 In a credit crunch, lenders stop lending and credit becomes tough to obtain. 在信贷紧缩中，贷方停止放贷，信贷变得难以获得。 Consumer confidence is plunging as the credit crunch hits household budgets. 随着信贷紧缩打击家庭预算，消费者信心正急剧下降。 Many companies will not survive the unfolding credit crunch. 许多公司将在不断加剧的信贷危机中度过难关。