pinch

feel pinched and feel the pinch

Fig. experiencing hardship because of having too little money. The Smiths used to go abroad every year, but now that he's retired, they're really feeling pinched. You're bound to feel the pinch a little when you're a student.

See also: feel

in a pinch

as a substitute. A piece of clothing can be used as a bandage in a pinch. In a pinch, you can use folded paper to prop up the table leg so the table won't rock.

pinch someone for something

Sl. to arrest someone for something. The cops pinched Max for driving without a license. Max was pinched for speeding.

pinch something back

to pinch off a bit of the top of a plant so it will branch and grow more fully. You should pinch this back so it will branch. Pinch back the new leaves at the top.

See also: back

pinch something from someone or something

Sl. to steal something from someone or something. Sam pinched an apple from the produce stand. We saw a pickpocket pinch a wallet from an old man.

pinch something off (of) something and pinch something off

to sever something from something by pinching. (Of is usually retained before pronouns.) Pinch the buds off the lower branches so the one at the top will bloom. Pinch off the lower buds.

pinch-hit for someone 

1. Fig. to bat for someone else in a baseball game. Wally Wilson will pinch-hit for Gary Franklin. Rodney Jones is pinch-hitting for Babe DiMaggio.

2. Fig. to substitute for someone in any situation. Bart will pinch-hit for Fred, who is at another meeting today. Who will pinch-hit for me while I am on vacation?

scrimp and save and pinch and scrape

to be very thrifty; to live on very little money, often in order to save up for something. We had to scrimp and save in order to send the children to college. The Smiths pinched and scraped all year in order to go on a Caribbean cruise.

See also: and, save, scrimp

take something with a pinch of salt and take something with a grain of slt

Fig. to listen to a story or an explanation with considerable doubt. You must take anything she says with a grain of salt. She doesn't always tell the truth. They took my explanation with a pinch of salt. I was sure they didn't believe me.

See also: salt, take

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at a pinch  (British & Australian) also in a pinch (American)

if something can be done at a pinch, it is possible in an urgent situation but it is difficult Will's car can take four people comfortably, five at a pinch.

See feel the pinch, take with a pinch of salt

feel the pinch

to have problems with money because you are earning less than before When my father lost his job and we had to live on my mother's earnings, we really started to feel the pinch.

See also: feel

pinch-hit  (American)

to do something for someone because they are suddenly unable to do it (often + for ) He was pinch-hitting for one of the regular TV sportscasters, and was a great success.

scrimp and save

to spend very little money, especially because you are saving it to buy something expensive (often + to do sth) We had to scrimp and save to buy our first house.

See also: and, save, scrimp

take something with a pinch of salt  (British & Australian) also take something with a grain of salt (American & Australian)

if you take what someone says with a pinch of salt, you do not completely believe it You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt. She has a tendency to exaggerate. It's interesting to read the reports in the newspapers, but I tend to take them with a grain of salt.

See rub salt in the wound

See also: salt, take

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feel the pinch

to experience the effect of having less money Consumers have felt the pinch of higher gasoline prices.

See also: feel

in a pinch

if necessary You should use lime juice, but in a pinch lemon is all right.