pinch

pincer

Serrer un peu de peau entre le pouce et un autre doigt, généralement en faisant mal.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : pinch someone on something (He pinched me on the arm.)

Expressions courantes : pinch someone, pinch my arm, pinch yourself

pincer

Presser fortement quelque chose entre deux éléments, en provoquant une douleur ou une gêne.

En anglais simple : 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?

Synonymes : squeeze

Expressions courantes : pinch your toes, pinch a finger, shoes pinch

voler

Prendre sans permission quelque chose qui appartient à quelqu’un d’autre.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : pinch something from someone/something (Someone pinched a pen from my desk.)

Synonymes : steal, nick

Expressions courantes : pinch something, pinch a biscuit, pinch my bike

arrêter

Saisir quelqu’un et l’emmener comme prisonnier.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : be pinched for something (He was pinched for stealing cars.)

Synonymes : arrest, catch

Contraires : release

Expressions courantes : pinch a suspect, get pinched

accabler

Faire souffrir quelqu’un en le privant de suffisamment d’argent, de nourriture ou d’espace.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : be pinched for something (We were pinched for money that winter.)

Synonymes : squeeze, oppress

Expressions courantes : pinch the poor, pinch for money

pincée

Très petite quantité de quelque chose, notamment ce que l’on peut prendre entre deux doigts.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : a pinch of something (Add a pinch of pepper.)

Synonymes : dash

Expressions courantes : a pinch of, pinch of salt, pinch of pepper, pinch of sugar

pincement

Action de serrer quelque chose entre le pouce et un autre doigt.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : give something a pinch (Give the dough a pinch to test its softness.)

Synonymes : squeeze

Expressions courantes : a gentle pinch, a painful pinch, give a pinch

embarras, situation difficile

Situation compliquée dans laquelle on a besoin d’aide ou d’une solution rapide.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : in a pinch (You can use yogurt in a pinch.); at a pinch (At a pinch, we could sleep in the car.)

Synonymes : tight spot, difficulty

Expressions courantes : in a pinch, at a pinch