[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/pinch/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [P](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/p/) / pinch # pinch verb (pinch, pinches, pinched, pinching); noun (a pinch, pinches) «pinch» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To press something tightly between your thumb and finger, sometimes in a way that hurts someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#m1) 2. A pinch is a very small amount of something you can hold between your finger and thumb, like a pinch of salt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#m2) 3. Informal British: to steal something small: someone pinched my rubber. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#m3) 4. Shoes that pinch are too tight and hurt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#m4) 5. "In a pinch" (US) or "at a pinch" (UK) means if really needed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#m5) 6. To pinch a part of your body can also mean to get it caught and squeezed, such as in a door. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#m6) ### In the lessons In cooking, a pinch of salt or spice is a tiny amount, less than an eighth of a teaspoon. In first aid, you pinch the soft part of your nose to stop a nosebleed. In everyday life, pinching people is unkind and hurts; keep hands to yourself. In stories, "pinch me, I'm dreaming" means something is so good it seems unreal. In science, crabs pinch with their claws. Phrases: "a pinch of salt", "pinch me", "take it with a pinch of salt" (don't fully believe it), "at a pinch", "feel the pinch" (have less money). ### Examples - Add a pinch of salt to the soup. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x1) - Pinch the soft part of your nose to stop the bleeding. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x2) - It's not kind to pinch your brother. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x3) - The crab pinched my toe with its claw. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x4) - These shoes pinch my toes; they're too small. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x5) - Who pinched my pencil? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x6) - Pinch me — did we really win? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x7) - Take that rumour with a pinch of salt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x8) - The door opened with difficulty, and the boy pinched his fingers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/#x9) ### Note Third person: pinches (add -es after ch). In recipes "a pinch" is not an exact measurement, just a very small amount. "Pinch" meaning steal is informal, mostly British, Irish and Australian. Do not confuse with "punch" (hit with a fist). ## In Jewish tradition It is part of the bird offering at the altar. **Interpretation.** The rabbis discuss exactly how this was done and teach that even small details of the service matter. ### Examples - And he shall bring them unto the priest, who shall offer that which is for the sin-offering first, and pinch off its head close by its neck, but shall not divide it asunder. (Torah LEV.5.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x1) - And the priest shall bring it unto the altar, and pinch off its head, and make it smoke on the altar; and the blood thereof shall be drained out on the side of the altar. (Torah LEV.1.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x2) ### Note Third person: pinches (add -es after ch). In recipes "a pinch" is not an exact measurement, just a very small amount. "Pinch" meaning steal is informal, mostly British, Irish and Australian. Do not confuse with "punch" (hit with a fist). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «pinch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/pinch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«pinch» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/pinch.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «pinch» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«pinch» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/pinch.html) on Mova free.