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pinch Definition

pinch (pinc̸h)

transitive verb

  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
    1. to steal
    2. to arrest
  8. Naut. to sail (a vessel) too close to the wind when closehauled

Etymology: ME pinchen < NormFr *pincher < OFr pincier < VL *pinctiare < ? punctiare, to prick (see puncheon), infl. by *piccare: see picador

intransitive verb

  1. to squeeze painfully
    1. to be stingy or niggardly
    2. to be frugal with expenses; economize
  3. ☆ Mining to become narrower; hence, to give (out): said of a vein of ore

noun

  1. a pinching; squeeze or nip
    1. the quantity that may be grasped between the finger and thumb
    2. a small amount
  3. distress; hardship; difficulty
  4. an emergency; urgent situation or time: now usually in the phrase in a pinch
  5. Slang
    1. a theft
    2. an arrest or police raid

adjective

Baseball of or having to do with a substitute hitter or runner

Etymology: < pinch

pinch Related Forms

pinch′er noun

pinch Idioms

pinch pennies

to be very frugal or economical

pinch Synonyms

pinch

n.

squeeze, compression, nip, nipping, grasp, grasping, pressure, cramp, contraction, confinement, limitation, hurt, torment.

pinch Synonyms

pinch

v.

  1. To squeeze

    nip, crimp, cramp, tweak, compress, press, grasp.

  2. *To steal

    take, filch, rob; see steal.

  3. *To arrest

    apprehend, detain, hold; see arrest 1.

pinch Usage Examples

Object

  • nerve: Muscle spasms or pinching nerves in the neck can be very painful.
  • penny: I guarantee you will feel very good about your decision not to pinch pennies come your first extended power outage.
  • nose: With the head tilted and chin up, pinch the nose and give sufficient air to make the chest rise.

Converse of object

  • feel: However, ISPs are feeling the pinch right now.
  • add: To prevent egg cracking whilst boiling, add a pinch of salt to the water.

Adjective modifier

  • proverbial: Others best taken with the proverbial pinch of salt.
  • generous: As it was so close, I began to feed the float line by hand with a regular, generous pinch of maggots.

Modifies a noun

  • hitter: He did claim the wicket of Neil Carter, but by then the left-handed pinch hitter had made 29 from only 11 balls.
  • bolt: Remove the pinch bolt on the left rear end of the swinging arm.
  • salt: Add the coconut cream, herbs and spices and a pinch salt together with a good dose of fresh ground black pepper.
  • collar: Is it really any wonder that the likes of King would recommend something as inhumane and barbaric as pinch collars.
  • roller: Copy the tape immediately, cleaning heads, capstan and pinch rollers of the tape machine after each copy.
  • valve: Coleman double lock valve and pinch valve adaptors included.

Modifying Another Word

feebly: Weak- kneed, he passed a trembling hand over his incredulous eyes; with the courage of despair, he feebly pinched himself.

Preposition: of

  • salt: His article Take Sid the Slug's warning with a pinch of salt is a good example of his work.
  • snuff: They are given to the game of cards, dice, to frequent pinches of snuff with abandon.
  • cayenne: Add salt as needed, grind in a little black pepper, add a pinch of cayenne, and a tablespoon of lemon juice.
  • nutmeg: Spring cabbage has a distinct ' nutty ' flavor of its own and tastes great served plain or with a pinch of nutmeg.
  • cinnamon: Sprinkle with the sugar to taste and add a small amount of apple juice and the pinch of cinnamon.
  • bicarbonate: Cover with a second lot of cold water, only this time add a small pinch of bicarbonate of soda.