Tools: Learn New Words | Secure Password Generator | Startup Tools | PDF Generator

Pinch (Noun)

The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar".

Nouns denoting acts or actions.

The detective was praised for the pinch that led to the arrest of the notorious thief.
The undercover agent made a pinch on the suspect after months of surveillance.
The police officer's pinch of the burglar was the highlight of her career.
The pinch was made after a high-speed chase through the city streets.
The FBI agent's pinch of the fugitive was a major breakthrough in the case.

A painful or straitened circumstance; "the pinch of the recession".

Nouns denoting natural processes.

The company had to downsize due to the pinch of the economic downturn.
Many families experienced the pinch of reduced income when the breadwinner lost their job.
The government's austerity measures put a pinch on public services, making it harder for people to access basic necessities.
The pinch of higher interest rates made it difficult for people to afford mortgages and loans.
The family felt the pinch when their income was reduced by a third due to the layoff of one of the earners.

A sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; "he never knew what to do in an emergency".

Nouns denoting natural events.

The hurricane made landfall, creating a pinch for the emergency responders as they struggled to evacuate the coastal residents.
In the chaos of the earthquake, the hospital staff was put in a pinch as they scrambled to treat the flood of injured patients.
The sudden power outage put the air traffic controllers in a pinch, forcing them to scramble to reroute the planes and prevent collisions.
The mayor was caught in a pinch when the fire destroyed the city's main water treatment plant, leaving thousands without access to clean drinking water.
The refinery fire created a pinch for the local authorities, who had to act quickly to contain the blaze and prevent a larger disaster.

A slight but appreciable amount; "this dish could use a touch of garlic".

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure.

She added a pinch of salt to the stew to bring out the flavors.
A pinch of cinnamon made all the difference in the sweetness of the cake.
The recipe called for a pinch of paprika to give the chicken a smoky flavor.
The chef added a pinch of cayenne pepper to give the soup a kick.
The artisan added a pinch of turmeric to the dye to give the fabric a slightly yellow hue.

An injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed.

Nouns denoting natural processes.

A squeeze with the fingers.

Nouns denoting acts or actions.

She gave his arm a gentle pinch to remind him of the secret they shared.
The chef added a pinch of salt to bring out the flavors of the dish.
With a quick pinch, she released the annoying mosquito that had been buzzing her ear.
The nurse gave the child a pinch of cream to apply to his scraped knee.
He gave her hand a reassuring pinch as they stood together on the rooftop, overlooking the city.