pinch
verb (used with object)
to squeeze or compress between the finger and thumb, the teeth, the jaws of an instrument, or the like.
had been pinching
-
past perfect progressiveof pinch.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The sister of Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys said her family had been "pinching ourselves all week" following his historic Emmy success.
From BBC ● Sep. 19, 2026
The courtroom crowd turned toward Abrams, who had been pinching his tubes on a tin pan turned upside down.
From Time Magazine Archive
There was a red patch on each of his old soft cheeks as if somebody had been pinching them.
From Chance A Tale in Two Parts by Joseph Conrad
When they had got him to bed they both looked very hot and flushed, for he had been pinching them in fun and had pretended to be quite helpless.
From Absolution by Clara Viebig
Dum took off her white kid pumps, that had been pinching a little all day, and left them in the middle of the floor.
From Vacation with the Tucker Twins by Nell Speed
