in a pinch
idiom
US
: in a bad situation when help is needed
I can help out in a pinch if you need a babysitter.
In a pinch, you can substitute another ingredient in the recipe.
Examples of in a pinch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Needham could be utilized there as a nickel cornerback, and someone who could work on the boundary in a pinch, and seemingly, someone who roam the back end of the secondary at safety.
—
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024
All your apps are either too slow or too cumbersome to whip open in a pinch.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Compact, portable power stations are good backup power options for those in smaller spaces (think condos or apartments) and are often suitable for powering smaller home appliances in a pinch.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2024
Here are 15 of our favorites, with versatile uses ranging from wearing as a skirt or dress to using as a picnic blanket, travel blanket, or shawl in a pinch.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Kamara fell back into this technique when a client of hers came to her in need of boho braids in a pinch.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 16 Apr. 2024
According to the brand, the bench and seat cushions offer plenty of ergonomic comfort and also come with easy-to-wash covers that can be zipped on or off in a pinch.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Of course, the iPhone has no face buttons, and virtual buttons, while okay in a pinch, are a poor substitute for anything that demands quick reflexes.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 6 Apr. 2024
Though Wi-Fi 6 is the modern standard for wireless signal, Wi-Fi 5 is still effective in a pinch (Wi-Fi 6E is on the way).
—PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024
All your apps are either too slow or too cumbersome to whip open in a pinch.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Compact, portable power stations are good backup power options for those in smaller spaces (think condos or apartments) and are often suitable for powering smaller home appliances in a pinch.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2024
Here are 15 of our favorites, with versatile uses ranging from wearing as a skirt or dress to using as a picnic blanket, travel blanket, or shawl in a pinch.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Travel + Leisure, 16 Apr. 2024
Kamara fell back into this technique when a client of hers came to her in need of boho braids in a pinch.
—Annie Blay, Allure, 16 Apr. 2024
According to the brand, the bench and seat cushions offer plenty of ergonomic comfort and also come with easy-to-wash covers that can be zipped on or off in a pinch.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 13 Apr. 2024
Of course, the iPhone has no face buttons, and virtual buttons, while okay in a pinch, are a poor substitute for anything that demands quick reflexes.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 6 Apr. 2024
Though Wi-Fi 6 is the modern standard for wireless signal, Wi-Fi 5 is still effective in a pinch (Wi-Fi 6E is on the way).
—PCMAG, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in a pinch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near in a pinch
Cite this Entry
“In a pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20a%20pinch. Accessed 18 May. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share