How to Use in a pinch in a Sentence

in a pinch

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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
  • The battery pack lasts for up to 10 hours and can also be used to charge your phone in a pinch.
    — Isabel Garcia, People.com, 8 Oct. 2024
  • Give it a swirl with your stirrer (or a pretzel stick in a pinch).
    — Emily Price, Forbes, 1 Oct. 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
  • And hey, in a pinch, that Arby's French dip still has its pleasures.
    — Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 30 July 2024
  • 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
  • The sofa can be transformed into a bed for guests in a pinch too.
    — Adam Williams, New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2024
  • Sporting has mixed up its formations in a pinch in the past.
    — Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 28 May 2024
  • Princess Diana knew just what to do to help a fellow mother in a pinch.
    — Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 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
  • Protect an in-ground lemon tree from a freeze by wrapping it in frost cloth or, in a pinch, blankets.
    — Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2024
  • 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
  • Weighing in at under two pounds, the vacuum is super easy to grab in a pinch or take on the go.
    — Clara McMahon, People.com, 20 Oct. 2024
  • Hand sanitizer is also a good option in a pinch, Dr. Russo says.
    — Korin Miller, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 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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