Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

at a pinch

/ˌæ.təˈpɪnʃ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.76 in modern English

Syllables: at a pinch
IPA: /ˌæ.təˈpɪnʃ/

15

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep_phrase

by a small margin or amount

Australian usage; New Zealand usage; British usage; Informal

prep_phrase

In an urgent or difficult situation; when no other solution is available.

Etymology

at + a + pinch (“tight squeeze”)

Regional Pronunciation

British English: /ˌæ.təˈpɪnʃ/

Usage

Synonyms

by the skin of one's teeth only just in a pinch

Questions

How do you pronounce at a pinch?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌæ.təˈpɪnʃ/.
What does at a pinch mean?: by a small margin or amount
Where does at a pinch come from?: at + a + pinch (“tight squeeze”)

How to pronounce at a pinch

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “at a pinch”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌæ.təˈpɪnʃ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “at a pinch”.
Repeat and practice — Say “at a pinch” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.