pinch
To press a small part of the skin between your fingers so that it hurts a little.
To press or squeeze a small area of skin firmly between finger and thumb, usually causing brief, sharp discomfort.
A very small amount of something like salt or sugar that you can take with your fingers.
A very small amount of a powdered or granulated substance that you can hold between your finger and thumb, especially in cooking.
To take something that is not yours without asking, especially a small thing.
To steal something, especially something small or of low value, without permission.
To press or hold something too tightly so that it hurts or feels uncomfortable.
To press or squeeze something so that it feels tight or causes discomfort, especially because it is too small or narrow.
A time when you do not have enough money and it is hard for you.
A state of financial difficulty in which someone does not have enough money and feels economic pressure.
To put two fingers on a phone or tablet screen and move them together or apart to make something smaller or bigger.
On a touchscreen, to move two fingers together or apart on the surface in order to zoom in or out or otherwise change the view.
To hold a small part of something between your fingers to change its shape or take a small piece off.
To grip a small part of something between finger and thumb in order to shape it, close it, or remove a piece of it.
The quick, sharp pain or action when someone pinches your skin.
The act of pinching or the brief, sharp feeling caused when the skin is pinched.
For the police to catch and take someone away because they think that person did a crime.
For police or other authorities, to arrest someone.
A short time when you have a problem or do not have enough time, help, or things you need.
A short period of urgent difficulty when something, such as time, help, or resources, is limited.
- Base: pinch
- Plural: pinches
- Base: pinch
- 3rd Person Singular: pinches
- Present Participle: pinching
- Past: pinched
a pinch of salt
1very small amount of salt
A very small amount of salt that you can take with your fingers.
- Add a pinch of salt to bring out the flavor.
- She always puts just a pinch of salt on her eggs.
- The recipe only calls for a pinch of salt.
at a pinch
1just possible, with difficulty
Used to say that something is possible, but only with difficulty and not in a perfect way.
- At a pinch, we can fit three more people in the car.
- The sofa can, at a pinch, sleep two.
- We could, at a pinch, finish the work by tonight.
feel the pinch
1suffer from money problems
To have money problems because things are expensive or you have less money.
- Many families are feeling the pinch after the tax rise.
- Small shops really feel the pinch when big chains open nearby.
- Even tech companies are starting to feel the pinch.
in a pinch
1if necessary, in an emergency
Used to say that something is not the best, but it is okay to use or do when you really need it and have no better choice.
- In a pinch, instant noodles make a quick dinner.
- We can borrow chairs from the office in a pinch.
- That small room could be a guest bedroom in a pinch.
pinch and zoom
1zoom using pinch gesture
To make something bigger or smaller on a screen by using two fingers and moving them together or apart.
- You can pinch and zoom on the map to see more detail.
- Most photo apps let you pinch and zoom easily.
- Just pinch and zoom if the text is too small.
pinch hit for
1substitute for someone briefly
To do someone else’s job or role for a short time, especially at the last moment.
- Can you pinch hit for me at the meeting this afternoon?
- She pinch hit for the usual presenter when he was sick.
- We asked Tom to pinch hit for the drummer at the concert.
pinch me
1exclaim disbelief at good news
Said when something is so good or surprising that you almost cannot believe it is real.
- I just got the job—someone pinch me!
- We’re going to Paris next week. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
- Pinch me, is this really happening?
pinch pennies
1be extremely careful with money
To be very careful not to spend money, sometimes too careful.
- We’ve been pinching pennies since he lost his job.
- They really pinch pennies when it comes to vacations.
- She’s pinching pennies to save for a new car.
pinch point
1narrow place causing slowdown
A place where a road, path, or process becomes narrow and things move more slowly or with problems.
- This junction is a major pinch point during rush hour.
- We need to redesign the system to remove that pinch point.
- Security checks are the main pinch point for passengers.
pinch yourself
1check if something is real
To feel very surprised that something good is real, as if you need to hurt yourself a little to believe it.
- I had to pinch myself when I saw my exam results.
- She kept pinching herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
- Standing on that stage, he could hardly believe it and wanted to pinch himself.
put the pinch on someone
1strongly pressure someone
To put a lot of pressure on someone, often to get money or a favor from them.
- They’re putting the pinch on customers with all these new fees.
- The gang put the pinch on local businesses for protection money.
- He tried to put the pinch on his parents for a bigger allowance.
take something with a pinch of salt
1not fully believe something
To not fully believe something you hear or read, because you think it may not be completely true.
- You should take his promises with a pinch of salt.
- I take anything I read on social media with a pinch of salt.
- Her story was funny, but I’d take it with a pinch of salt.