pinch
B1Informal to neutral.
Definition
Meaning
To squeeze something, typically flesh or soft material, tightly between the fingers and thumb.
1. To steal something, especially something small or of low value. 2. To act in a miserly or frugal manner. 3. A small amount of a powdery substance held between the finger and thumb. 4. A situation of difficulty or hardship.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb's meanings range from the physical action ('pinch your arm') to metaphorical actions involving theft ('pinch an apple') or constraint ('feel the pinch'). The noun forms ('a pinch of salt', 'in a pinch') are highly conventionalized.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The meaning 'to steal' is more common in British English. The idiom 'take something with a pinch of salt' is more common in British English, while 'take something with a grain of salt' is more common in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'pinch' for theft is informal and often implies petty or opportunistic stealing.
Frequency
The physical sense and the 'small amount' sense are equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] pinches [Object] (e.g., He pinched my cheek).[Subject] pinches [Object] from [Source] (e.g., She pinched a biscuit from the jar).[Subject] is in a pinch (e.g., We're in a bit of a pinch financially).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take it with a pinch of salt”
- “Feel the pinch”
- “At a pinch / In a pinch”
- “Pinch pennies”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically to describe financial hardship or cost-cutting: 'The new tariffs are making businesses feel the pinch.'
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical texts describing theft or in technical contexts describing precise measurement ('a pinch of reagent').
Everyday
Very common for the physical action, small amounts in cooking, and informal theft.
Technical
In engineering, a 'pinch point' is a hazard where parts converge. In physics/chemistry, 'pinch effect' refers to the constriction of a plasma or fluid stream.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- Add just a pinch of saffron to the rice.
- We can manage at a pinch if the train is late.
American English
- Can you grab a pinch of that spice for me?
- This recipe calls for a pinch of baking soda.
verb
British English
- The child tried to pinch a chocolate bar from the shop.
- Ouch! You pinched me!
American English
- I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming.
- He got pinched for stealing a car.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Don't pinch your sister!
- I need a pinch of sugar.
- He pinched my arm to get my attention.
- If you're in a pinch, I can lend you some money.
- Many families are starting to feel the pinch due to the rising cost of living.
- Take his advice with a pinch of salt; he's not an expert.
- The legislation was passed in a fiscal pinch, leaving many loopholes unaddressed.
- She managed to pinch the winning formula from under the nose of her competitors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine PINching someone with a PIN.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIFFICULTY IS CONSTRICTION / THEFT IS A QUICK GRASP / SMALL AMOUNT IS A GRASP.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'pinch of salt' literally as 'щипотка соли' in all contexts; the idiom 'with a pinch of salt' means 'скептически'.
- 'To pinch' meaning 'to steal' does not correspond to the Russian 'щипать'.
- The noun 'pinch' (difficulty) has no direct single-word equivalent in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He pinched me on my cheek.' Correct: 'He pinched my cheek.' or 'He pinched me on the cheek.'
- Confusing 'feel the pinch' (experience hardship) with simply 'feel a pinch' (feel a squeeze).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'take it with a pinch of salt' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral but can be informal, especially in the meaning 'to steal'.
They mean the same thing ('if absolutely necessary'), but 'at a pinch' is more British, and 'in a pinch' is more American.
No, it typically implies petty theft or stealing something small or of relatively low value.
No, it's an imprecise, small amount, roughly what can be held between the thumb and forefinger.