at a pinch
Meaning: In an urgent or difficult situation, when no better alternative is available or when resources are scarce.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: Body & Senses
Origin: Origin uncertain; the phrase pictures being squeezed or pinched by circumstances, with just barely enough to manage.
More idioms — Body & Senses
- swallow one's pride — To set aside one's pride and accept a humbling situation or apology.
- see with half an eye — To perceive something obvious with very little effort or attention.
- have someone's guts for garters — To punish someone severely, especially with angry or violent reprimand.
- wet one's whistle — To have a drink.
- bad blood — Persistent hostility or deep resentment between people.
- pull teeth — To accomplish something with great difficulty, requiring much effort and persistence.
More English idioms
- at latter Lammas — Never; at a time that will never come.
- go overboard — To exceed reasonable limits; to do something to an excessive, unrestrained, or reckless d…
- straight from the horse's mouth — Information received directly from the original source, without intermediaries.
- thin the herd — To reduce the size of a group by removing members, typically the weakest or least product…
- I have a bridge to sell you — A sarcastic way of saying that someone is gullible or easily deceived.
- fall into place — To become suddenly clear and fully understood when separate elements finally align.
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