pinch

Everyday

1. To press something tightly between your thumb and finger, sometimes in a way that hurts someone. tree →
2. A pinch is a very small amount of something you can hold between your finger and thumb, like a pinch of salt. tree →
3. Informal British: to steal something small: someone pinched my rubber. tree →
4. Shoes that pinch are too tight and hurt. tree →
5. "In a pinch" (US) or "at a pinch" (UK) means if really needed. tree →
6. To pinch a part of your body can also mean to get it caught and squeezed, such as in a door. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking, a pinch of salt or spice is a tiny amount, less than an eighth of a teaspoon. In first aid, you pinch the soft part of your nose to stop a nosebleed. In everyday life, pinching people is unkind and hurts; keep hands to yourself. In stories, "pinch me, I'm dreaming" means something is so good it seems unreal. In science, crabs pinch with their claws. Phrases: "a pinch of salt", "pinch me", "take it with a pinch of salt" (don't fully believe it), "at a pinch", "feel the pinch" (have less money).

Examples

• Add a pinch of salt to the soup. tree →
• Pinch the soft part of your nose to stop the bleeding. tree →
• It's not kind to pinch your brother. tree →
• The crab pinched my toe with its claw. tree →
• These shoes pinch my toes; they're too small. tree →
• Who pinched my pencil? tree →
• Pinch me — did we really win? tree →
• Take that rumour with a pinch of salt. tree →
• The door opened with difficulty, and the boy pinched his fingers. tree →

Note

Third person: pinches (add -es after ch). In recipes "a pinch" is not an exact measurement, just a very small amount. "Pinch" meaning steal is informal, mostly British, Irish and Australian. Do not confuse with "punch" (hit with a fist).

In Jewish tradition

It is part of the bird offering at the altar.

Interpretation. The rabbis discuss exactly how this was done and teach that even small details of the service matter.

Examples

• And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, and pinch off its head close by its neck, but shall not divide it asunder. (Torah LEV.5.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and pinch off its head, and make it smoke on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar. (Torah LEV.1.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Third person: pinches (add -es after ch). In recipes "a pinch" is not an exact measurement, just a very small amount. "Pinch" meaning steal is informal, mostly British, Irish and Australian. Do not confuse with "punch" (hit with a fist).