in a pinch
When absolutely needed
In a pinch describes a situation where something will serve adequately when the ideal option isn't available: Honey works in a pinch if you're out of sugar.
The phrase suggests making do under pressure or constraint—the pinch being the tight spot you find yourself in.
In a pinch, I could sleep on the couch.
- exigencyPressing necessity or demand
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- crisisDecisive dangerous moment
- emergencySerious sudden danger
- in a bindTrapped in difficulty
workaround · quick fix · jury-rigging · wing it · predicament · back against the wall · adaptation · solution · shortage · ingenuity · clutch · at the last minute · desperation · worst case scenario · when push comes to shove · on the fly · prioritization · insufficiency
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, plight
- helpingaid, assist, give a hand, help, helping hand
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
in a pinchideally
In perfect circumstances
optimally · preferably · by choice · in a perfect world · all things being equal
in a pinchpreferably
With stated preference
by choice · by design · intentionally · deliberately · ordinarily
pinch, pinched, pinching, pinches, pinchers, pincher, unpinched