Background for pinch

pinch

/pɪntʃ/

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noun

The action of squeezing a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt.

Examples :

"The little boy gave his sister a playful pinch on the arm. "

body action sensation

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noun

A close compression of anything with the fingers.

Examples :

"I gave the leather of the sofa a pinch, gauging the texture."

action sensation body

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noun

A small amount of powder or granules, such that the amount could be held between fingertip and thumb tip.

Examples :

"She added a pinch of salt to the soup. "

amount substance food

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noun

An awkward situation of some kind (especially money or social) which is difficult to escape.

Examples :

"After unexpectedly losing her job, Sarah found herself in a financial pinch. "

situation finance economy

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noun

A metal bar used as a lever for lifting weights, rolling wheels, etc.

Examples :

"The mechanic used a pinch to lift the heavy tire and change it. "

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noun

An organic herbal smoke additive.

Examples :

"He added a pinch of herbal blend to his loose-leaf tobacco for a more relaxing smoke. "

substance plant medicine

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noun

A magnetic compression of an electrically-conducting filament.

Examples :

"The experiment used a powerful pinch to compress the plasma filament, generating intense heat. "

physics energy technical science phenomena

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noun

The narrow part connecting the two bulbs of an hourglass.

Examples :

"The hourglass had a thin pinch, making it hard to see how much sand was left. "

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noun

Examples :

"The police officer made a pinch for the shoplifter. "

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verb

To squeeze a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt.

Examples :

"The children were scolded for pinching each other."

body action sensation

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verb

To squeeze between the thumb and forefinger.

Examples :

"She pinched the crayon between her thumb and forefinger to sharpen it. "

action body sensation

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verb

To squeeze between two objects.

Examples :

"The child pinched the paper airplane between his fingers to make the wings stronger. "

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verb

To steal, usually something inconsequential.

Examples :

"Someone has pinched my handkerchief!"

action property

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verb

To arrest or capture.

Examples :

"The police officer pinched the thief on the street. "

police law action

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verb

To cut shoots or buds of a plant in order to shape the plant, or to improve its yield.

Examples :

"The gardener pinched the tips of the rose bushes to encourage more blooms. "

agriculture plant biology

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verb

To sail so close-hauled that the sails begin to flutter.

Examples :

"The sailboat pinches as the wind shifts, causing the sails to flap erratically. "

nautical sailing

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verb

To take hold; to grip, as a dog does.

Examples :

"The dog pinched the ball tightly in its jaws. "

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verb

To be stingy or covetous; to live sparingly.

Examples :

"During hard times, my grandmother had to pinch pennies to make sure we had enough food. "

character economy business finance attitude value

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verb

To seize; to grip; to bite; said of animals.

Examples :

"The crab will pinch your finger if you get too close. "

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verb

To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve.

Examples :

"to be pinched for money"

economy suffering

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verb

To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch.

Examples :

"The workers had to pinch the railcar a few feet to align it with the loading dock. "

vehicle machine technical work

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verb

To complain or find fault.

Examples :

"My roommate always pinches about the noise I make when I'm cooking. "

attitude character communication