A pinch is a small amount of something that's grabbed or held tightly.
When we talk about pinching, it usually means taking a little bit of something, like money, time, or even attention. For example, you might ask for a pinch of salt to add flavor to your food, or say that you only have a few minutes to spare before you need to take care of another task. Some people also use the word "pinch" when they talk about feeling a little bit hungry or thirsty - like taking a small bite of something just to satisfy their hunger for a moment.
How common is "pinch"?
Word pinch is considered uncommon in modern English. It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions
noun
The action of squeezing a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt.
A close compression of anything with the fingers.
Example: I gave the leather of the sofa a pinch, gauging the texture.
A small amount of powder or granules, such that the amount could be held between fingertip and thumb tip.
An awkward situation of some kind (especially money or social) which is difficult to escape.
A metal bar used as a lever for lifting weights, rolling wheels, etc.
An organic herbal smoke additive.
A magnetic compression of an electrically-conducting filament.
The narrow part connecting the two bulbs of an hourglass.
An arrest.
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verb
To squeeze a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt.
Example: The children were scolded for pinching each other.
To squeeze between the thumb and forefinger.
To squeeze between two objects.
To steal, usually something inconsequential.
Example: Someone has pinched my handkerchief!
To arrest or capture.
To cut shoots or buds of a plant in order to shape the plant, or to improve its yield.
To sail so close-hauled that the sails begin to flutter.
To take hold; to grip, as a dog does.
To be stingy or covetous; to live sparingly.
To seize; to grip; to bite; said of animals.
To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve.
Example: to be pinched for money
To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch.
