How to Use in a pinch in a Sentence

in a pinch

idiom
Definition of in a pinchnext
  • At just over 93 pounds, it can be moved in a pinch as well.
    — Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 24 Jan. 2023
  • Driving to the park in the 2000s, Nevin called to say Bochy had asked him to catch for the team in a pinch.
    — Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2023
  • Just a ball and, in a pinch, wadded up socks or paper will do.
    — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 18 July 2023
  • Toss some in your gloves or boots in a pinch and avoid the dangers of frostbite.
    — Collin Morgan, Car and Driver, 4 Jan. 2023
  • Whole milk: Use whole milk (or 2% in a pinch) for a rich, creamy texture.
    — Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 1 Sep. 2023
  • The rug is stain-resistant but very easy to spot clean in a pinch.
    — Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
  • Tin Tin flubs it on that last part, giving up the name at the Ministry in a pinch.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 29 Feb. 2024
  • And in a pinch, it can even be used as a shawl to keep you warm during a longhaul flight.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Oct. 2023
  • The big guy with the bushy beard was as good a potential coach-in-waiting as the Buffs could’ve found in a pinch.
    — Sean Keeler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023
  • Sporting has mixed up its formations in a pinch in the past.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
  • On The Acolyte, haircut via lightsaber seems great in a pinch, but won’t people notice the charred ends of Mae’s locs?
    — Keisha Hatchett, TVLine, 28 June 2024
  • So these aren’t heated gloves per se, but these fleece mitts are a way of keeping warm in a pinch.
    — Danny Perez, Popular Mechanics, 9 Dec. 2022
  • These boots lean more casual, but with the right outfit, can be dressed up in a pinch.
    — Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
  • Whip up single-serving smoothies and juices in a pinch with this easy-to-use blender.
    — John Thompson, Men's Health, 13 Dec. 2022
  • This is a stand that can probably be set up by two people in a pinch.
    — Travis Smola, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2023
  • Though in a pinch, Baker could look to give Whitley a one-start trial.
    — Michael Shapiro, Chron, 2 May 2023
  • And like Skiba — who was first hired to briefly fill in for DeLonge — Willard has manned the kit for other acts in a pinch.
    — Courtney Devores, Charlotte Observer, 28 Feb. 2024
  • Roomy enough for a quartet of adults (or five in a pinch for short rides) its huge back seat is limousine-like for kids.
    — Brett Berk, Good Housekeeping, 4 Apr. 2023
  • And don’t forget about the classic glow of candles, which can work just about anywhere in a pinch.
    — Rachel Kurzius, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
  • All your apps are either too slow or too cumbersome to whip open in a pinch.
    — Boone Ashworth, WIRED, 3 May 2024
  • The 1-liter capacity is more than enough for one person and can even serve two in a pinch.
    — Chris Meehan, Popular Mechanics, 26 June 2023
  • Pickling is best done with fresh strawberries, but frozen can be used in a pinch.
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 12 May 2024
  • Use a high-quality sausage like Neese's (tho Jimmy Dean's ok in a pinch).
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2023
  • It can be worn out as a dressy dinner outfit, by the pool, or even as pajamas in a pinch.
    — Samantha Leal, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
  • But in a pinch, the sharper-tasting white or sweeter Vidalia onions could be used.
    — Jessica Harlan, Southern Living, 26 Dec. 2023
  • Just to be safe, maybe one of our other portable tailgate recipes could sub in a pinch.
    — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2023
  • Carefully arrange these skeletons, bats, and ghouls to get your space decked out in a pinch.
    — Wendy Vazquez, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Sep. 2023
  • Black cherry might in a pinch, depending on the cherry.
    — Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 30 Dec. 2023
  • Press the person’s skin (or sea lion skin, in a pinch) back on, and paint it with black manganese or, in later eras, red ocher.
    — Maggie Shipstead Anthony Cotsifas, New York Times, 10 May 2023
  • While this is neither the easiest nor neatest way to pit cherries, in a pinch, it can be done.
    — Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 2 July 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'in a pinch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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