pincushion

Everyday

A pincushion is a small, firm, stuffed pad into which you stick pins and needles to keep them safe when sewing. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, crafts and design-and-technology lessons pupils use a pincushion when sewing so that sharp pins are not left lying about. Some are shaped like tomatoes or worn on the wrist. In stories «like a pincushion» describes something full of sharp things, such as a hedgehog or someone with many injections. Phrases: «tomato pincushion», «wrist pincushion».

Examples

• Put the pins back in the pincushion when you finish. tree →
• Grandma's pincushion looks like a red tomato. tree →
• We made a pincushion in sewing club. tree →
• Never leave pins on the table; use the pincushion. tree →
• The cactus looked like a green pincushion. tree →
• The dressmaker wore a pincushion on her wrist. tree →
• After all those injections my arm felt like a pincushion. tree →
• Count the pins back into the pincushion so none are lost. tree →
• The back of him was made all in one piece, like a pincushion. tree →

Note

Countable: «a pincushion». It is a compound of «pin» and «cushion», written as one word. Safety: keep pins in the pincushion to avoid pricked fingers and pins on the floor.