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pinch

1 pinch /ˈpɪntʃ/ verb
pinches; pinched; pinching
1 pinch
/ˈpɪntʃ/
verb
pinches; pinched; pinching
Britannica Dictionary definition of PINCH
[+ object]
: to squeeze (someone's skin) between your thumb and finger often in a painful way
often used figuratively
: to squeeze or press (something) together with your thumb and finger
: to remove (part of a plant) by squeezing with your thumb and finger
: to press against or squeeze (a part of the body) in a painful way
[+ object]
[no object]
[no object] : to be very careful about spending money : to spend as little money as possible
see also pinch pennies (below)
[+ object] chiefly British, informal : to steal (something)
[+ object] informal + old-fashioned : to arrest (someone) often + for
[+ object] chiefly US, informal
: to cause financial problems for (someone or something)
: to reduce or limit (something) in a way that causes problems

pinch pennies

informal
: to be very careful about spending money : to spend as little money as possible
2 pinch /ˈpɪntʃ/ noun
plural pinches
2 pinch
/ˈpɪntʃ/
noun
plural pinches
Britannica Dictionary definition of PINCH
[count]
: the act of pinching someone or something usually singular
: the amount of something that can be held between your finger and thumb often + of

feel the pinch

: to experience the problems caused by not having enough money or by paying higher costs

in a pinch

(US) or British at a pinch
: in a bad situation when help is needed

take (something) with a pinch of salt

see 1salt
3 pinch /ˈpɪntʃ/ adjective
3 pinch
/ˈpɪntʃ/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of PINCH
always used before a noun US, baseball
: used as a substitute for another player
: made by a pinch hitter