at a pinch

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Related to at a pinch: get to the bottom of, take a stab at something

at a pinch

Said of a challenging, but potentially workable, situation. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. Sir, I think we can get you on that flight at a pinch, as long as you don't mind waiting around.

at a pinch

BRITISH or

in a pinch

AMERICAN

COMMON If it is possible to do something at a pinch, it can just be done if it is absolutely necessary. Allow an hour for the dish to stand when it comes out of the oven, but 10-15 minutes will do at a pinch. The ballroom could easily handle two hundred chairs, more in a pinch.

at a pinch

if necessary; in an emergency.

A North American variant of this expression is in a pinch .

at a ˈpinch/ˈpush

(British English) (American English in a ˈpinch) (informal) possible if you try very hard or if it is absolutely necessary: We usually only accept 55 guests but at a pinch, we could take 60.