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
These versatile salves might serve to treat a burn, as a facial cosmetic, or as a hair conditioner in a pinch.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
The grocery giant that always steps up in a pinch is planning on business as usual for this weekend’s winter storm.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Prep space, work table, storage unit, and dining table in a pinch—what can’t a kitchen island do?
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
The lightweight magnetic device easily attaches to the back of my phone to provide extra charge in a pinch, and it’s intelligently designed to be thinner than most portable chargers to take up less space.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in a pinch
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Literary Hub, 23 Jan. 2026
The grocery giant that always steps up in a pinch is planning on business as usual for this weekend’s winter storm.
—Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 23 Jan. 2026
Prep space, work table, storage unit, and dining table in a pinch—what can’t a kitchen island do?
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2026
The lightweight magnetic device easily attaches to the back of my phone to provide extra charge in a pinch, and it’s intelligently designed to be thinner than most portable chargers to take up less space.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
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 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
