ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pinch

v. · n.
US //ˈpɪntʃ// UK //pˈɪntʃ// pinch
  1. 1 to squeeze skin (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to squeeze someone's skin between your thumb and finger, often making it hurt a little.

    to grip a small amount of flesh or material between the thumb and forefinger, typically causing sharp, localized pressure.

    Example

    She gave his arm a playful pinch to get his attention.

    Example

    The child reached out to pinch his brother's arm, resulting in a sharp cry and an immediate reprimand from their mother.
  2. 2 to steal (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal British English

    to steal something, usually something small or not very expensive.

    to steal an item, typically one of minor value. Transitive and informal in register.

    Example

    Someone managed to pinch my pen while I was away from my desk.

    Example

    He admitted that he used to pinch apples from the neighbor's orchard when he was a young boy.
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  1. 3 to be too tight (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    when shoes or clothes are too tight and cause pain in one spot.

    to cause pain or discomfort by being too tight or restrictive, particularly in reference to footwear.

    Example

    These new leather shoes really pinch my toes when I walk.

    Example

    Although the boots were stylish, they began to pinch her heels so severely that she had to change into trainers for the walk home.
  2. 4 horticulture (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Cooking

    to remove the tips of a plant's stems to help it grow better.

    to remove the terminal bud or shoot of a plant to encourage lateral growth and a bushier habit.

    Example

    You should pinch back the herbs to make the plant grow more leaves.

    Example

    The gardener advised us to pinch out the leading shoots of the fuchsias to promote a more compact and floriferous display.
  3. 5 a small amount (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    the tiny amount of something you can hold between your thumb and finger.

    a small, indefinite amount of a granular or powdered substance that can be held between the thumb and forefinger.

    Example

    Add a pinch of salt to the soup to bring out the flavor.

    Example

    The recipe calls for a pinch of saffron, which provides a delicate aroma and a vibrant golden hue to the rice.
  4. 6 a difficult situation (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a situation where there is not enough of something, especially money.

    a state of hardship, distress, or financial pressure.

    Example

    Many families are feeling the pinch as food prices continue to rise.

    Example

    The sudden increase in interest rates meant that many small businesses began to feel the economic pinch almost immediately.
  5. 7 an arrest (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang British English

    the act of the police catching and arresting someone.

    the act of apprehending a suspect or making an arrest.

    Example

    The thief was caught in a pinch just as he was leaving the building.

    Example

    The detective was confident that they would make a clean pinch before the suspect could reach the airport.
Origin

From Middle English pinchen, from Old Northern French pinchier (compare Old French pincier, pincer (“to pinch”)), a word of uncertain origin, possibly from Vulgar Latin pinciāre (“to puncture, pinch”), from a merger of punctiāre (“to puncture, sting”), from Latin punctiō (“a puncture, prick”) and piccāre (“to strike, sting”), from Frankish pikkōn, from Proto-Germanic pikkōną (“to pick, peck, prick”). More at point, pick and pitch.

Idioms3 entries

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