Sputnik moment
UK /ˈspʊtnɪk ˈməʊmənt/US /ˈspʊtnɪk ˈmoʊmənt/
noun1
- The moment when a country or a society realizes that it needs to catch up with apparent technological and scientific developments made by some other country or countries by increasing its investment into education, innovative research and development, etc.
- Immediately after September 11, 2001, Americans found themselves again facing a Sputnik moment. They realized that they were caught flat-footed, unprepared to confront Al Qaeda terrorists. — 2004
forms
Sputnik moments