psychological moment

English

Etymology

Derived from a misunderstanding of German psychologische Moment, where Moment actually means momentum.

Noun

psychological moment (plural psychological moments)

1. The best time to do something, when those involved are in the most workable state of mind.
   • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 41:

     At length the psychological moment arrived, and the sorcerer called upon her to deliver the child[.]