in a pinch

phrase

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

Thai basil can stand in for Italian basil in a pinch, especially in savory meals where its stronger flavor complements the other ingredients. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026

Better than the Mediterranean-Style Hummus, though that will do in a pinch. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Like other Rambler products, these bowls are completely dishwasher safe for effortless cleaning, and in a pinch are also incredible dog bowls for long hikes with the pups. — Red Fabbri, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2026

Nutritionists generally note that the amount of trace minerals consumed in a pinch of any salt is small, so unrefined salts should not be viewed as a substitute for a mineral-rich diet. — Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for in a pinch

• bullfinch
• goldfinch
• cinch
• finch
• flinch
• inch
• lynch
• synch
• winch