pinch

To press a little skin between your finger and thumb, usually making it hurt.

• Please do not pinch me.
• She pinched her brother on the arm.
• I pinched myself to check I was awake.

How to use it: pinch someone on something (He pinched me on the arm.)

Common phrases: pinch someone, pinch my arm, pinch yourself

To press something tightly between two things, causing pain or discomfort.

• These shoes pinch my toes.
• The door pinched her finger.
• Does the belt pinch when you sit down?

Similar words: squeeze

Common phrases: pinch your toes, pinch a finger, shoes pinch

To take something that belongs to someone else without permission.

• Someone pinched my bike.
• He pinched a biscuit from the tin.
• Who keeps pinching my pens?

How to use it: pinch something from someone/something (Someone pinched a pen from my desk.)

Similar words: steal, nick

Common phrases: pinch something, pinch a biscuit, pinch my bike

To catch someone and take them away as a prisoner.

• The cops pinched him yesterday.
• She got pinched outside the station.
• They pinched the thief before he could escape.

How to use it: be pinched for something (He was pinched for stealing cars.)

Similar words: arrest, catch

Opposites: release

Common phrases: pinch a suspect, get pinched

To cause difficulty or suffering by leaving someone without enough money, food, or space.

• Hunger pinched the whole village.
• The family was pinched for money.
• Higher rents pinched the poorest workers hardest.

How to use it: be pinched for something (We were pinched for money that winter.)

Similar words: squeeze, oppress

Common phrases: pinch the poor, pinch for money

A very small amount of something.

• Add a pinch of salt.
• The soup needs another pinch of pepper.
• She stirred a pinch of cinnamon into her coffee.

How to use it: a pinch of something (Add a pinch of pepper.)

Similar words: dash

Common phrases: a pinch of, pinch of salt, pinch of pepper, pinch of sugar

An act of pressing something between your finger and thumb.

• She gave my arm a pinch.
• A gentle pinch tested the softness of the fabric.
• He felt a sharp pinch on his cheek.

How to use it: give something a pinch (Give the dough a pinch to test its softness.)

Similar words: squeeze

Common phrases: a gentle pinch, a painful pinch, give a pinch

A difficult situation in which you need help or a quick solution.

• Call me if you are in a pinch.
• In a pinch, a spoon works as a small shovel.
• At a pinch, this room could hold twelve people.

How to use it: in a pinch (You can use yogurt in a pinch.); at a pinch (At a pinch, we could sleep in the car.)

Similar words: tight spot, difficulty

Common phrases: in a pinch, at a pinch