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
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
Roughly a third of the country’s 123,000 public libraries offer mobile hotspot lending, allowing visitors to borrow palm-sized devices that pump out a cellular signal that can substitute for home internet service in a pinch, said Megan Janicki, a policy expert at the American Library Association.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
It can be worn out as a dressy dinner outfit, by the pool, or even as pajamas in a pinch.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
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
Roughly a third of the country’s 123,000 public libraries offer mobile hotspot lending, allowing visitors to borrow palm-sized devices that pump out a cellular signal that can substitute for home internet service in a pinch, said Megan Janicki, a policy expert at the American Library Association.
—Brian Fung, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
It can be worn out as a dressy dinner outfit, by the pool, or even as pajamas in a pinch.
—Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 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 1 May. 2024.
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