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
The rug is stain-resistant but very easy to spot clean in a pinch.
—
Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Sporting has mixed up its formations in a pinch in the past.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Beyond his wide range of institutional contributions and service on multiple boards were the often quiet donations to people who found themselves in a pinch and sought his assistance.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2024
The studios’ cost-cutting strategy has left writers in a pinch.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024
Pickling is best done with fresh strawberries, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 12 May 2024
Needham could be utilized there as a nickel cornerback, and someone who could work on the boundary in a pinch, and seemingly, someone who roam the back end of the secondary at safety.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024
All your apps are either too slow or too cumbersome to whip open in a pinch.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Compact, portable power stations are good backup power options for those in smaller spaces (think condos or apartments) and are often suitable for powering smaller home appliances in a pinch.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2024
Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Sporting has mixed up its formations in a pinch in the past.
—Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
Beyond his wide range of institutional contributions and service on multiple boards were the often quiet donations to people who found themselves in a pinch and sought his assistance.
—Jean Marbella, Baltimore Sun, 2 Mar. 2024
The studios’ cost-cutting strategy has left writers in a pinch.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 21 May 2024
Pickling is best done with fresh strawberries, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
—Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 12 May 2024
Needham could be utilized there as a nickel cornerback, and someone who could work on the boundary in a pinch, and seemingly, someone who roam the back end of the secondary at safety.
—Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 9 May 2024
All your apps are either too slow or too cumbersome to whip open in a pinch.
—Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 May 2024
Compact, portable power stations are good backup power options for those in smaller spaces (think condos or apartments) and are often suitable for powering smaller home appliances in a pinch.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in a pinch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near 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 8 Jun. 2024.
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