pinches

Noun

pinch (plural pinches)

1. The action of squeezing a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt.
2. A close compression of anything with the fingers.
   • I gave the leather of the sofa a pinch, gauging the texture.
3. A small amount of powder or granules, such that the amount could be held between fingertip and thumb tip.
   • Mix about four cups of white flour with a pinch of salt.

   Synonyms:

   smidgen, ace, atom, thought, atomy, aught, bissel, continental, bit, crumb

4. An awkward situation of some kind (especially money or social) which is difficult to escape.
   • And wel his merits ſhew him to be made
     His Fortunes maiſter, and the king of men.
     That could perſwade at ſuch a ſodaine pinch,
     With reaſons of his valour and his life,
     A thouſand ſworne and ouer-matching foes:c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC...

   Synonyms:

   difficulty, kettle of fish, ass in a sling, bind, bucket of syrup, calvary, cauldron, cross, cross to bear, dilemma

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

   Synonyms:

   crowbar, jimmy, nail bar

6. An organic herbal smoke additive.

See all 24 meanings of pinch