Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense pinches, present participle pinching, past tense, past participle pinched
1. verb
If you pinch a part of someone's body, you take a piece of their skin between your thumb and first finger and give it a short squeeze.
She pinched his arm as hard as she could. [VERB noun]
We both kept pinching ourselves to prove that it wasn't all a dream. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
Synonyms: nip, press, squeeze, grasp More Synonyms of pinch
Pinch is also a noun.
She gave him a little pinch.
2. countable noun
A pinch of an ingredient such as salt is the amount of it that you can hold between your thumb and your firstfinger.
Put all the ingredients, including a pinch of salt, into a food processor. [+ of]
...a pinch of nutmeg.
3. to take something with a pinch of salt
4. verb
To pinch something, especially something of little value, means to steal it.
[informal]
Do you remember when I pinched your glasses? [VERB noun]
...pickpockets who pinched his wallet. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: steal, rob, snatch, lift [informal] More Synonyms of pinch
5.
See at a pinch
6.
See feel the pinch
7.
See in a pinch
More Synonyms of pinch
pinch in British English
(pɪntʃ)
verb
1.
to press (something, esp flesh) tightly between two surfaces, esp between a finger and the thumb
nip1
2.
to confine, squeeze, or painfully press (toes, fingers, etc) because of lack of space
these shoes pinch
3. (transitive)
to cause stinging pain to
the cold pinched his face
4. (transitive)
to make thin or drawn-looking, as from grief, lack of food, etc
5. (usually foll by on)
to provide (oneself or another person) with meagre allowances, amounts, etc
6. pinch pennies
7. (transitive) nautical
to sail (a sailing vessel) so close to the wind that her sails begin to luff and she loses way
8. (intransitive; sometimes foll byout)
(of a vein of ore) to narrow or peter out
9. (usually foll byoff, out, or back)
to remove the tips of (buds, shoots, etc) to correct or encourage growth
10. (transitive) informal
to steal or take without asking
11. (transitive) informal
to arrest
noun
12.
a squeeze or sustained nip
13.
the quantity of a substance, such as salt, that can be taken between a thumb and finger
14.
a very small quantity
15.
a critical situation; predicament; emergency
if it comes to the pinch, we'll have to manage
16. the pinch
17. pinch bar
18. slang
a robbery
19. slang
a police raid or arrest
20. at a pinch
21. with a pinch of salt
Word origin
C16: probably from Old Norman French pinchier (unattested); related to Old French pincier to pinch; compare Late Latin punctiāre to prick
pinch in American English
(pɪntʃ)
verb transitive
1.
to squeeze between a finger and the thumb or between two surfaces, edges, etc.
2.
to nip off the end of (a plant shoot), as for controlling bud development
3.
to press painfully upon (some part of the body)
4.
to cause distress or discomfort to
5.
to cause to become thin, cramped, etc., as by hunger, pain, cold, etc.
6.
to restrict closely; straiten; stint
usually in the passive voice
7. Slang
a.
to steal
b.
to arrest
8. Nautical
to sail (a vessel) too close to the wind when closehauled
verb intransitive
9.
to squeeze painfully
10.
a.
to be stingy or niggardly
b.
to be frugal with expenses; economize
11. US, Mining
to become narrower; hence, to give (out)
said of a vein of ore
noun
12.
a pinching; squeeze or nip
13.
a.
the quantity that may be grasped between the finger and thumb
b.
a small amount
14.
distress; hardship; difficulty
15.
an emergency; urgent situation or time
now usually in the phrase in a pinch
16. Slang
a.
a theft
b.
an arrest or police raid
adjective
17. Baseball
of or having to do with a substitute hitter or runner
Idioms:
pinch pennies
Derived forms
pincher (ˈpincher)
noun
Word origin
ME pinchen < NormFr *pincher < OFr pincier < VL *pinctiare < ? punctiare, to prick (see puncheon1), infl. by *piccare: see picador
More idioms containing
pinch
pinch pennies
at a pinch
feel the pinch
take something with a pinch of salt
Examples of 'pinch' in a sentence
pinch
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Stir both into the softening onion with a generous pinch of salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Pour over the honey and scatter over the thyme sprigs along with a pinch of salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Pound mint leaves and a pinch of salt until smooth.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You basically take a pinch, put it in the crook of your finger and then close the other nostril and have a snort.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
AS the Pound feels the pinch, shoppers are braced for rising food prices.
The Sun (2016)
We know that families are really feeling the pinch and little help can be expected from there.
The Sun (2011)
Stir into the dressing along with a good pinch of salt and pepper.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Make the dressing by combining the ingredients with a pinch of sugar.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Independent shops are also feeling the pinch.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You can add a pinch of stem ginger.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Stir well and add a pinch of nutmeg before serving if you like.
The Sun (2014)
To zoom out you pinch your fingers together again.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Stir the pieces into the onion with another pinch of salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Laughter lines from nose to mouth make lips look pinched and smaller.
The Sun (2012)
The squeeze pinched tightest those least able to pay.
Adam Sisman The Friendship: Wordsworth and Coleridge (2006)
You have to take it with a pinch of salt.
The Sun (2014)
Which statistic you might be tempted to take with a pinch of salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Her face was pinched with anxiety before the first.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Households are also going to feel a continued pinch from a higher tax burden.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Turn up the heat slightly and add a pinch of salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and a generous pinch of nutmeg.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
They know what public humiliation can result from a moist finger or a pinched toe.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
More than likely it will need another good pinch of salt and pepper.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Mix the yoghurt with a good pinch of sea salt in a bowl and put to one side.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Add the rest of the ingredients and a pinch of salt and simmer for about 20 mins.
The Sun (2014)
The price hikes come as millions of families feel the pinch with rising food, petrol, utility bills and mortgage costs.
The Sun (2008)
In other languages
pinch
British English: pinch /pɪntʃ/ VERB
If you pinch a part of someone's body, you take a piece of their skin between your thumb and first finger and give it a short squeeze.
She pinched his arm as hard as she could.
American English: pinch
Arabic: يَقْرِصّ
Brazilian Portuguese: beliscar
Chinese: 掐
Croatian: uštipnuti
Czech: štípnout do kůže
Danish: klemme
Dutch: knijpen
European Spanish: pellizcar
Finnish: nipistää
French: pincer
German: kneifen
Greek: τσιμπώ
Italian: pizzicare
Japanese: つねる
Korean: ...을 꼬집다
Norwegian: klype
Polish: uszczypnąć
European Portuguese: beliscar
Romanian: a ciupi
Russian: зажимать
Latin American Spanish: pellizcar
Swedish: nypa
Thai: หยิก
Turkish: çimdiklemek
Ukrainian: щипати
Vietnamese: cấu
Translate your text for free
All related terms of 'pinch'
pinch bar
a crowbar with a lug formed on it to provide a fulcrum
pinch bug
a stag beetle
pinch-hit
If you pinch-hit for someone, you do something for them because they are unexpectedly unable to do it.
the pinch
sharp, painful , or extreme stress , need, etc
pinch point
a point in a network or system where congestion occurs or is likely to occur
at a pinch
If you say that something is possible at a pinch , or in American English if you say that something is possible in a pinch , you mean that it would be possible if it was necessary, but it might not be very comfortable or convenient .
in a pinch
If you are in a pinch , you are in a difficult situation.
pinch effect
the constriction of a beam of charged particles , caused by a force on each particle due to its motion in the magnetic field generated by the movement of the other particles
pinch-hitter
a batter who acts as a substitute for the scheduled batter
pinch-hitting
to bat as a substitute for the scheduled batter
pinch pennies
to try to spend as little money as possible
pinch runner
a player sent into a game to replace a base runner
feel the pinch
If a person or company is feeling the pinch , they do not have as much money as they used to, and so they cannot buy the things they would like to buy.
with a pinch of salt
without wholly believing ; sceptically
take something with a pinch of salt
to not rely on something, such as a piece of information , because it may not be accurate or true
to take something with a pinch of salt
If you take something with a pinch of salt , you do not believe that it is completely accurate or true .
Chinese translation of 'pinch'
pinch
(pɪntʃ)
n
(c)[of spice, salt, sugar]一撮 (yī cuō)
to give sb a pinch捏某人 (niē mǒurén)
vt
[person] (with finger and thumb) 捏 (niē)
(inf, = steal) 偷窃(竊) (tōuqiè)
vi
[shoe]夹(夾)脚(腳) (jiājiǎo)
at a pinch必要时(時) (bìyào shí)
to feel the pinch感到缺钱(錢) (gǎndào quē qián)
1 (verb)
Definition
to squeeze (something, esp. flesh) between a finger and thumb
She pinched his arm as hard as she could.
Synonyms
nip
He gave Billy's cheek a nip between two rough fingers.
press
The grapes are hand-picked and pressed.
squeeze
He squeezed her arm reassuringly.
grasp
compress
Poor posture can compress the body's organs.
tweak
He tweaked my ear roughly.
2 (verb)
Definition
to squeeze by being too tight
shoes which pinch our toes
Synonyms
hurt
I'll go. I've hurt you enough.
crush
Their vehicle was crushed by an army tank.
squeeze
pain
My ankle still pained me.
confine
cramp
She was worried that her dad would cramp her style.
chafe
3 (verb)
Definition
to steal
(British, informal)
pickpockets who pinched his wallet
Synonyms
steal
Anybody could walk in here and steal stuff.
rob
snatch
The robber snatched the bag and ran away.
lift (informal)
a cartoonish device lifted from a Laurel and Hardy sequence
nick (slang, mainly British)
We used to nick biscuits from the kitchen.
trouser (slang)
cabbage (British, slang)
swipe (slang)
People kept trying to swipe my copy of the New York Times.
knock off (slang)
blag (slang)
pilfer
Staff were pilfering cash from the bar.
snitch (slang)
purloin
He was caught purloining books from the library.
filch
I filched some notes from his wallet.
snaffle (British, informal)
4 (verb)
Definition
to arrest
(informal)
He was pinched for doing 31 mph.
Synonyms
arrest
Seven people were arrested for minor offences.
do (slang)
lift (slang)
pick up (slang)
nick (slang, mainly British)
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
run in (slang)
nail (informal)
The police have been trying to nail him for years.
bust (informal)
They were busted for possession of cannabis.
collar (informal)
As Kerr fled towards the exit, Boycott collared him.
pull in (British, slang)
nab (informal)
He stayed on the run for weeks before the authorities nabbed him.
apprehend
Police have not apprehended the perpetrator.
take into custody
feel your collar (slang)
Opposites
free
,
release
,
let go
,
let out
,
set free
5 (verb)
Her aunt had had to pinch and save to buy her the things she wanted.
Synonyms
scrimp
She has to scrimp and save to clothe her son.
press
spare
distress
stint
He didn't stint on the special effects.
afflict
There are four main problems that afflict these people.
oppress
skimp
Many families must skimp on their food and other necessities.
economize
We're going to have to economize on our spending from now on.
be stingy
pinch pennies
tighten your belt
Opposites
blow (slang)
,
waste
,
squander
,
fritter away
,
be extravagant
,
spend like water
1 (noun)
Definition
a squeeze or sustained nip
She gave him a little pinch.
Synonyms
nip
squeeze
I like her way of reassuring you with a squeeze of the hand.
tweak
a tweak on the ear
2 (noun)
Definition
the quantity that can be taken up between a thumb and finger
a pinch of salt
Synonyms
dash
Add a dash of balsamic vinegar.
bit
a bit of cake
taste
He took another small taste.
mite
jot
It doesn't affect my judgement one jot.
speck
He leaned forward and brushed a speck of dust off his shoes.
small quantity
smidgen (informal)
soupçon (French)
3 (noun)
Definition
extreme stress or need
I'd trust her in a pinch.
Synonyms
emergency
He has the ability to deal with emergencies quickly.
crisis
Strikes worsened the country's economic crisis.
difficulty
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
plight
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
scrape (informal)
We got into terrible scrapes.
strait
uphill (South Africa)
predicament
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
extremity
Even in extremity, she never lost her sense of humour.
necessity
hardship
Many people are suffering economic hardship.
oppression
exigency
idioms
See at a pinch
See feel the pinch
Additional synonyms
in the sense of afflict
Definition
to cause someone suffering or unhappiness
There are four main problems that afflict these people.
Synonyms
torment,
trouble,
pain,
hurt,
wound,
burden,
distress,
rack,
try,
plague,
grieve,
harass,
ail (literary),
oppress,
beset,
smite
in the sense of apprehend
Definition
to arrest and take into custody
Police have not apprehended the perpetrator.
Synonyms
arrest,
catch,
lift (slang),
nick (slang, British),
capture,
seize,
run in (slang),
take,
nail (informal),
bust (informal),
collar (informal),
pinch (informal),
nab (informal),
take prisoner,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of bit
Definition
a small piece, portion, or quantity
a bit of cake
Synonyms
slice,
segment,
fragment,
crumb,
mouthful,
small piece,
morsel,
chip,
grain,
speck,
atom,
mite
Synonyms of 'pinch'
pinch
Explore 'pinch' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bust
Definition
(of the police) to raid or search (a place) or arrest (someone)
They were busted for possession of cannabis.
Synonyms
arrest,
catch,
lift (slang),
raid,
cop (slang),
nail (informal),
collar (informal),
nab (informal),
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of collar
Definition
to seize
As Kerr fled towards the exit, Boycott collared him.
Synonyms
seize,
catch,
arrest,
appropriate,
grab,
capture,
nail (informal),
nab (informal),
apprehend,
lay hands on
in the sense of compress
Definition
to squeeze together
Poor posture can compress the body's organs.
Synonyms
squeeze,
crush,
squash,
constrict,
press,
crowd,
wedge,
cram
in the sense of cramp
Definition
to confine or restrict
She was worried that her dad would cramp her style.
Synonyms
restrict,
hamper,
inhibit,
hinder,
check,
handicap,
confine,
hamstring,
constrain,
obstruct,
impede,
shackle,
circumscribe,
encumber
in the sense of crisis
Definition
a time of extreme trouble or danger
Strikes worsened the country's economic crisis.
Synonyms
emergency,
plight,
catastrophe,
predicament,
pass,
trouble,
disaster,
mess,
dilemma,
strait,
deep water,
meltdown (informal),
extremity,
quandary,
dire straits,
exigency,
critical situation
in the sense of crush
Definition
to break or grind into small pieces
Their vehicle was crushed by an army tank.
Synonyms
squash,
pound,
break,
smash,
squeeze,
crumble,
crunch,
mash,
compress,
press,
crumple,
pulverize,
comminute
in the sense of difficulty
Definition
an objection or obstacle
The main difficulty has been getting enough students to try out the scheme.
Synonyms
problem,
trouble,
obstacle,
hurdle,
dilemma,
hazard,
complication,
hassle (informal),
snag,
uphill (South Africa),
predicament,
pitfall,
stumbling block,
impediment,
hindrance,
tribulation,
quandary,
can of worms (informal),
point at issue,
disputed point
in the sense of economize
Definition
to reduce expense or waste
We're going to have to economize on our spending from now on.
Synonyms
cut back,
save,
save money,
be sparing,
cut costs,
be economical,
scrimp,
scrimp and save,
retrench,
be frugal,
make economies,
cut expenditure,
tighten your belt,
be on a shoestring,
draw in your horns,
husband your resources
in the sense of exigency
Definition
an emergency
Synonyms
emergency,
pass,
crisis,
fix (informal),
difficulty,
jam (informal),
pinch,
plight,
scrape (informal),
hardship,
strait,
pickle (informal),
predicament,
extremity,
juncture,
quandary,
panic stations (informal)
in the sense of extremity
Definition
an extreme condition, such as misfortune
Even in extremity, she never lost her sense of humour.
Synonyms
crisis,
trouble,
emergency,
disaster,
setback,
pinch,
plight,
hardship,
adversity,
dire straits,
exigency,
extreme suffering
Additional synonyms
in the sense of filch
Definition
to steal in small amounts
I filched some notes from his wallet.
Synonyms
steal,
take,
thieve,
pinch (informal),
lift (informal),
nick (slang, British),
trouser (slang),
abstract,
rip off (slang),
cabbage (British, slang),
swipe (slang),
knock off (slang),
crib (informal),
half-inch (old-fashioned, slang),
embezzle,
pilfer,
walk off with,
misappropriate,
purloin (formal),
snaffle (British, informal)
in the sense of hardship
Definition
something that causes suffering
Many people are suffering economic hardship.
Synonyms
suffering,
want,
need,
trouble,
trial,
difficulty,
burden,
misery,
torment,
oppression,
persecution,
grievance,
misfortune,
austerity,
adversity,
calamity,
affliction,
discomfort,
tribulation,
privation (formal),
destitution
in the sense of jot
Definition
the least bit
It doesn't affect my judgement one jot.
Synonyms
bit,
detail,
ace,
scrap,
grain,
particle,
atom,
fraction,
trifle,
mite,
tad (informal),
speck,
morsel,
whit,
tittle,
iota,
scintilla,
smidgen or smidgin (informal)
in the sense of lift
Definition
to plagiarize (music or writing)
a cartoonish device lifted from a Laurel and Hardy sequence
Synonyms
steal,
take,
copy,
appropriate,
nick (slang, British),
pocket,
trouser (slang),
pinch (informal),
pirate,
cabbage (British, slang),
knock off (slang),
crib (informal),
half-inch (old-fashioned, slang),
blag (slang),
pilfer,
purloin (formal),
plagiarize,
thieve
in the sense of nab
Definition
to arrest (someone)
He stayed on the run for weeks before the authorities nabbed him.
Synonyms
catch,
arrest,
apprehend,
seize,
lift (slang),
nick (slang, British),
grab,
capture,
nail (informal),
collar (informal),
snatch,
catch in the act,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of nail
Definition
to arrest or catch (someone)
The police have been trying to nail him for years.
Synonyms
catch,
arrest,
capture,
apprehend,
lift (slang),
trap,
nab (informal),
snare,
ensnare,
entrap,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of nick
Definition
to steal
We used to nick biscuits from the kitchen.
Synonyms
steal,
pinch (informal),
swipe (slang),
pilfer,
finger (slang),
trouser (slang),
knock off (slang),
snitch (slang)
in the sense of nick
Definition
to arrest
The police nicked me for carrying an offensive weapon.
Synonyms
arrest,
apprehend,
take into custody,
nail (informal),
lift (slang),
seize,
run in (slang),
bust (informal),
collar (informal),
pinch (informal),
nab (informal),
take prisoner,
feel your collar (slang)
in the sense of pain
Definition
to cause (a person) physical or mental suffering
My ankle still pained me.
Synonyms
hurt,
chafe,
cause pain to,
cause discomfort to
in the sense of pilfer
Definition
to steal (minor items) in small quantities
Staff were pilfering cash from the bar.
Synonyms
steal,
take,
rob,
lift (informal),
nick (slang, British),
appropriate,
trouser (slang),
rifle,
pinch (informal),
cabbage (British, slang),
swipe (slang),
knock off (slang),
embezzle,
blag (slang),
walk off with,
snitch (slang),
purloin,
filch,
snaffle (British, informal),
thieve
Additional synonyms
in the sense of plight
Definition
a dangerous or difficult situation
the plight of Third World countries plagued by debts
Synonyms
difficulty,
condition,
state,
situation,
trouble,
circumstances,
dilemma,
straits,
predicament,
extremity,
perplexity
in the sense of predicament
Definition
an embarrassing or difficult situation
The decision will leave her in a predicament.
Synonyms
fix (informal),
state,
situation,
spot (informal),
corner,
hole (slang),
emergency,
mess,
jam (informal),
dilemma,
pinch,
plight,
scrape (informal),
hot water (informal),
pickle (informal),
how-do-you-do (informal),
quandary,
tight spot
in the sense of press
Definition
to compress to alter in shape
The grapes are hand-picked and pressed.
Synonyms
compress,
grind,
reduce,
mill,
crush,
pound,
squeeze,
tread,
pulp,
mash,
trample,
condense,
pulverize,
tamp,
macerate
in the sense of purloin
Definition
to steal
He was caught purloining books from the library.
Synonyms
steal,
rob,
lift (informal),
nick (slang, British),
appropriate,
trouser (slang),
pinch (informal),
cabbage (British, slang),
swipe (slang),
knock off (slang),
blag (slang),
pilfer,
walk off with,
snitch (slang),
filch,
prig (British, slang),
snaffle (British, informal),
thieve
in the sense of scrape
Definition
an awkward or embarrassing situation
We got into terrible scrapes.
Synonyms
predicament,
trouble,
difficulty,
spot (informal),
fix (informal),
mess,
distress,
dilemma,
plight,
tight spot,
awkward situation,
pretty pickle (informal)
in the sense of skimp
Definition
to be extremely sparing or supply (someone) sparingly
Many families must skimp on their food and other necessities.
Synonyms
stint,
scrimp,
be sparing with,
pinch,
withhold,
scant,
cut corners,
scamp,
be mean with,
be niggardly,
tighten your belt
in the sense of snatch
The robber snatched the bag and ran away.
Synonyms
steal,
take,
nick (slang, British),
pinch (informal),
swipe (slang),
lift (informal),
pilfer,
filch,
shoplift,
thieve,
walk or make off with
in the sense of speck
Definition
a small or tiny piece of something
He leaned forward and brushed a speck of dust off his shoes.
Synonyms
particle,
bit,
grain,
dot,
atom,
shred,
mite,
jot,
modicum,
whit,
tittle,
iota
in the sense of squeeze
Definition
to grip or press (something) firmly
He squeezed her arm reassuringly.
Synonyms
clutch,
press,
grip,
crush,
pinch,
cling to,
squash,
nip,
compress,
clasp,
wring,
hold tight,
enclasp
in the sense of squeeze
Definition
a squeezing
I like her way of reassuring you with a squeeze of the hand.
Synonyms
press,
grip,
clasp,
crush,
pinch,
squash,
nip,
wring
Additional synonyms
in the sense of stint
Definition
to be miserly with (something)
He didn't stint on the special effects.
Synonyms
be mean,
hold back,
be sparing,
scrimp,
skimp on,
save,
withhold,
begrudge,
economize,
be frugal,
be parsimonious,
be mingy (British, informal),
spoil the ship for a ha'porth of tar
in the sense of swipe
Definition
to steal (something)
People kept trying to swipe my copy of the New York Times.
Synonyms
steal,
nick (slang, British),
pinch (informal),
lift (informal),
appropriate,
trouser (slang),
cabbage (British, slang),
knock off (slang),
make off with,
pilfer,
purloin (formal),
filch,
snaffle (British, informal)
in the sense of taste
Definition
a small amount eaten, sipped, or tried on the tongue