to press something, especially someone's skin, strongly between two hard things such as a finger and a thumb, usually causing pain, a small amount of something, typically salt, spices, or herbs, that is held between one's thumb and forefinger and sprinkled onto food, a difficult situation caused by a lack of money

in a pinch, pinch pennies, pinch and punch

pinch hitter, pinch oneself, a pinch of salt

Formal and Informal Expressions of pinch

In different contexts, you can replace 'pinch' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'compress, grip' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'squeeze, twist' is a commonplace synonym.

pinch: Explore its Definition & Usage

pinch Definition

1to press something, especially someone's skin, strongly between two hard things such as a finger and a thumb, usually causing pain
2a small amount of something, typically salt, spices, or herbs, that is held between one's thumb and forefinger and sprinkled onto food
3a difficult situation caused by a lack of money

Using pinch: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "pinch" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
She pinched my arm and I yelped in pain.
Example
Can you pinch some salt into the soup?
Example
I'm in a pinch and can't afford to buy a new car right now.

pinch Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for pinch

Antonyms for pinch

release
let go

Idioms Using pinch

in a pinch
in an emergency or difficult situation
Example
I can use this tool as a hammer in a pinch.
pinch pennies
to be very frugal or thrifty with money
Example
We're pinching pennies until we can save enough for a down payment on a house.
pinch and punch
a children's game played on the first day of the month, where participants say 'pinch and a punch for the first of the month' and then pinch and punch each other
Example
As soon as the clock struck midnight, they all shouted 'pinch and a punch for the first of the month!'

Phrases with pinch

pinch hitter
a substitute batter in baseball who bats for a teammate
Example
The coach sent in a pinch hitter to replace the injured player.
pinch oneself
to do something to make sure that one is not dreaming or imagining something
Example
I had to pinch myself to make sure that I wasn't dreaming when I won the lottery.
a pinch of salt
a small amount of skepticism or disbelief
Example
Take his story with a pinch of salt; he's known to exaggerate.

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Summary: pinch in Brief

The term 'pinch' [pɪn(t)ʃ] refers to pressing something between two hard things, often causing pain. It can also mean a small amount of something, like salt, or a difficult financial situation. Examples include 'She pinched my arm and I yelped in pain,' and 'Can you pinch some salt into the soup?' Phrases include 'in a pinch,' meaning in an emergency, and 'pinch pennies,' meaning to be frugal with money.