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
Use a sturdy metal roasting pan or, in a pinch, stack two foil roasting pans together for strength.
—
Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
Customers who are also in a pinch may benefit from this setup.
—Kathy Lee, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Peel the mango with a vegetable peeler (or paring knife in a pinch).
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Dark corn syrup, which is derived from corn, can be used in a pinch but won’t yield the same crisp texture.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in a pinch
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Jonel Aleccia, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
Customers who are also in a pinch may benefit from this setup.
—Kathy Lee, Footwear News, 11 Nov. 2025
Peel the mango with a vegetable peeler (or paring knife in a pinch).
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 8 Nov. 2025
Dark corn syrup, which is derived from corn, can be used in a pinch but won’t yield the same crisp texture.
—Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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 4 Dec. 2025.
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