in a pinch
idiom
US
: in a bad situation when help is needed
I can help out in a pinch if you need a babysitter.
In a pinch, you can substitute another ingredient in the recipe.
Examples of in a pinch in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Stir in a pinch of cayenne, pinch of ground cinnamon and pinch of ground nutmeg.
—
Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article San Diego State delivered in a pinch on Thursday only to get slammed by one of college softball’s reigning superpowers.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
And yes, mashing the pedal to the firewall will summon the whole powertrain’s fury in a pinch … but that defeats the purpose of trying to go green.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025
Wright, a veteran who has played on 10 teams, including six playoff contenders, over his nine-year career, should be a player Thibodeau can use if needed in a pinch.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in a pinch
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Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Listen to this article San Diego State delivered in a pinch on Thursday only to get slammed by one of college softball’s reigning superpowers.
—Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Feb. 2025
And yes, mashing the pedal to the firewall will summon the whole powertrain’s fury in a pinch … but that defeats the purpose of trying to go green.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025
Wright, a veteran who has played on 10 teams, including six playoff contenders, over his nine-year career, should be a player Thibodeau can use if needed in a pinch.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in a pinch
Cite this Entry
“In a pinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20a%20pinch. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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