to pinch
pinch
pɪnʧ
pinch
pitchpunch

Definition & Meaning of "pinch"in English

to pinch
01

to tightly grip and squeeze something, particularly someone's flesh, between one's fingers 

Transitive: to pinch sb/sth
to pinch definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
pinch
3rd person singular
pinches
Present participle
pinching
Past simple
pinched
Past participle
pinched
Examples
He had to pinch the bridge of his nose to alleviate the growing headache. 
02

to compress or press one's lips together, typically as a reaction to stress, tension, or discomfort 

Transitive: to pinch one's lips
Examples
He pinched his lips as he listened to the bad news. 
03

to cause discomfort or distress 

Transitive: to pinch one's body or mind
Examples
The tight shoes were pinching her toes, causing discomfort throughout the day. 
04

to remove the growing tip or end portion of a plant to encourage branching or bushier growth 

Transitive: to pinch the tips of a plant
Examples
To encourage a more compact shape, she regularly pinches the tips of her potted geraniums. 
05

to take something in a somewhat sneaky manner 

Transitive: to pinch sth
Examples
I realized that someone had pinched my pen from my desk. 
06

to take someone into custody 

Dialectbritish flagBritish
Transitive: to pinch sb
Informal
Examples
The police pinched him for shoplifting at the supermarket. 
Pinch
01

the act of grasping or squeezing something firmly between the thumb and fingers 

pinch definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Abstract
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
pinches
Examples
The doctor performed a skin elasticity test by giving the patient's forearm a gentle pinch. 
02

a slight amount of something one can hold between the index finger and thumb 

pinch definition and meaning
Examples
Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of the dish. 
03

an act of taking someone into custody 

Examples
The detective called headquarters to report the pinch and request transport. 
04

a quick, sharp bite or snip, often resulting in a sudden, brief sensation of pain or discomfort 

Examples
The crab gave a quick pinch with its claws when she tried to pick it up. 
05

a critical, urgent situation that demands quick response 

Examples
We were in a real pinch when the lead actor missed the rehearsal and the show had to go on. 
06

the painful result of getting a body part compressed or squeezed between two objects 

Examples
The toddler cried when she experienced a pinch in her hand from the toy. 
07

a condition of hardship, scarcity, or tightness, often financial or material 

Examples
During the recession many families felt the pinch and cut nonessential spending. 
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