Where the rubber meets the road 意為「事物真相揭曉的時刻；事物見真章或見分曉的時刻」，其中 rubber 的意思由橡膠引伸為車胎。所以，這個慣用語的字面意思是「在車胎碰到路面之處」或「在車胎與路面接觸之處」，車胎管不管用立即見分曉。這個慣用語於 20 世紀中期開始在北美使用，似乎源自廣告公司的廣告詞。
例句：
- My boss promised the company a raise after March 1st, but I was concerned if it would happen where the rubber meets the road. (我的老闆保證公司會在三月一日之後加薪，但我擔心到了真相揭曉的時刻是否會加薪)
- Emily thought his plan was very foolish but decided to see what happened where the rubber meets the road. (艾蜜莉認為他的計畫很蠢，但決定看看在該計畫見真章的時候會發生什麼事)
- Their plan to help the community is sound, but the city government’s continued support throughout the year will be where the rubber meets the road. (他們幫助社區的計畫是完善的，但市政府是否整年都會持續地支持該計畫，屆時才能見分曉)