WordGarden.iopinch
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪntʃ/
US
- /ˈpɪntʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to squeeze or grip something sharply between the fingers
to press painfully or feel tight enough to cause a sharp discomfort
to steal something
Noun
a very small amount, especially used as a rough measure in cooking
Beyond the definition
A pinch can be a quick squeeze with your fingers, like when someone gently pinches a cheek. It can also mean a small amount of something, like "a pinch of salt" in a recipe. Sometimes life puts you in "a pinch," which means a difficult spot where you need a fast solution. If rising prices are hurting your budget, you might say you're "feeling the pinch."
You can also pinch pennies, meaning you try hard to save money. In informal English, especially in older stories or British usage, "pinch" can mean arrest. It is a small word, but it shows up in everyday talk in several useful ways.
The word "pinch" has several distinct meanings, all revolving around the idea of compression or restriction. Most literally, to pinch is to squeeze something tightly between your thumb and forefinger—you might playfully pinch a baby's cheek or feel a sharp pinch if an insect bites you.
However, "pinch" also describes a small quantity of something, often used in culinary contexts. A recipe might call for "a pinch of cinnamon," meaning just the tiny amount you can hold between your fingertips. This usage stems directly from the physical act of grasping a minuscule portion of a substance.
Beyond the physical, "pinch" frequently refers to a difficult or restricted situation, particularly a financial one. If you're "feeling the pinch," it means you are struggling with limited resources or rising costs. For example: "The household is facing a serious pinch due to the increase in rent." Similarly, being "in a pinch" describes an emergency or a moment where you must make do with a substitute because your primary option is unavailable.
Interestingly, in informal slang (particularly in British English or older American detective noir), to "pinch" someone means to arrest them. It can also mean to steal something small. Both meanings likely derive from the idea of a quick, firm, and sudden "take." Whether it's a physical squeeze, a tiny measurement, a difficult circumstance, or a run-in with the law, "pinch" is a word that speaks to compression, limitation, and a little bit of pressure.
Examples
- 1
Checking fabric
She pinched the fabric between her fingers to see how thick it was.
- 2
Tight shoes
These shoes pinch my toes after a few hours.
- 3
Sealing dough
Pinch the edges of the dough together so the filling doesn't leak out.
- 4
Small amount
Add a pinch of salt and taste the soup again.
- Patterna pinch of + ingredient
a very small amount
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Medical problem
The doctor thinks I may have a pinched nerve in my neck.
- Domaina pinched nerve
a nerve that is being pressed too hard
- 6
Emergency backup
We can use my phone as a flashlight in a pinch.
- Phrasein a pinch
if necessary, when there is no better choice
- 7
Money pressure
Rising food prices are making many families feel the pinch.
- Phrasefeel the pinch
have problems because money is tight
- 8
Doubtful story
Take his story with a pinch of salt; he tends to exaggerate.
- Patterntake X with a pinch of salt
not completely believe it
- 9
Amazing news
I had to pinch myself when I saw my name on the winner's list.
- Phrasepinch yourself
check that something amazing is real
- 10
Informal stealing
Someone pinched my bike from outside the station.
- Usagepinch
steal; informal, mainly British English
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pinchnounverb
Forms
- pinchedpast tenseverbnoun
- pinching-ing formverbnoun
- pinchespluralnounverb