come through in a pinch

1. To be successful or do what is required during a critical juncture or moment of intense difficulty or pressure. Marta is our most reliable attorney. She always comes through in a pinch. The new waiter really came through in a pinch when we were short-staffed this morning. My sister's a nurse, and she really came through in a pinch when that woman collapsed on the subway.

2. To serve as a satisfactory or adequate substitute when the ideal or preferred option is unexpectedly not available. I had to borrow my brother's laptop to finish my essay on time. It's a piece of junk, but I have to admit that it came through in a pinch. Ah, this shade of lipstick will do in a pinch—it's better than nothing. What if I don't have any cooking oil? Will anything else come through in a pinch?