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at a pinch

idiom

Definition of at a pinch

British
: in a bad situation when help is needed
  • I can help out at a pinch if you need a babysitter.
  • At a pinch, you can substitute another ingredient in the recipe.

Word by Word Definitions

pinch play

  1. : to squeeze between the finger and thumb or between the jaws of an instrument

  2. : to prune the tip of (a plant or shoot) usually to induce branching

  3. : to squeeze or compress painfully

  1. : a critical juncture : emergency

  2. : pressure, stress

  3. : hardship, privation

  1. : substitute

  2. : hit by a pinch hitter

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