[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/pinch.html) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The Judaism dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/) / pinch [← P](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/P/) # pinch «pinch» in Mova's judaism dictionary: **To press something tightly between your thumb and finger…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it. ### part of speech verb (pinch, pinches, pinched, pinching); noun (a pinch, pinches) ### meaning for a pupil 1) To press something tightly between your thumb and finger, sometimes in a way that hurts someone. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#m2) 3) Informal British: to steal something small: someone pinched my rubber. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#m3) 4) Shoes that pinch are too tight and hurt. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#m4) 5) "In a pinch" (US) or "at a pinch" (UK) means if really needed. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#m6) ### sense in the lessons In the Tanakh and 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. In the primary 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 - 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://md.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://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x2) - Add a pinch of salt to the soup. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x3) - Pinch the soft part of your nose to stop the bleeding. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x4) - It's not kind to pinch your brother. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x5) - The crab pinched my toe with its claw. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x6) - These shoes pinch my toes; they're too small. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x7) - Who pinched my pencil? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x8) - Pinch me — did we really win? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x9) - Take that rumour with a pinch of salt. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x10) - The door opened with difficulty, and the boy pinched his fingers. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/#x11) ### 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 the corpora - [Copper slowly reacts with air and goes dull brown; vinegar with a pinch of salt makes a dull coin shiny again.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/chemistry/14-tarnish-and-how-metals-change/12/) - [Lick a lemon and it is sour; taste a tiny pinch of baking soda and it is bitter and soapy.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/chemistry/16-alkalis-and-soda/0/) - [Add a splash of vinegar and it turns pink; add a pinch of baking soda and it turns blue-green.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/chemistry/17-indicators-the-red-cabbage-rainbow/1/) - [Schools teach the tripod grip: the pencil pinched between thumb and first finger, resting on the middle finger, near the tip.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/english/5-handwriting-holding-the-pencil-and-joining-up/1/) - [Keep fingers clear of the folding parts of recliners and folding chairs, because they pinch and crush.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/everyday/110-windows-balconies-and-furniture/16/) ### Trees and pragmatics [Every meaning and example of «pinch» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/pinch/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.