pinch
verb (used with object)
to squeeze or compress between the finger and thumb, the teeth, the jaws of an instrument, or the like.
have been pinching
-
present perfect progressiveof pinch.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
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.
As food inflation persists, many of us have been pinching pennies in our grocery budgets.
From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2026
This week, residents in Venice, Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, Playa del Rey and Playa Vista have been pinching their noses at the unpleasant oceanic odor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2024
McDonald's also has been doubling down on its low-price Dollar Menu promotions to attract more customers, many of whom have been pinching pennies on meals away from home.
From Reuters ● Jan. 22, 2013
Yet by the end of the game at Taunton it was Harmison and Plunkett who might have been pinching themselves.
From The Guardian ● May 26, 2012
"Never saw so gay a Carnival," said everybody; and in the height of it, with all manner of gayeties going on,—think where the dainty little shoes have been pinching!
From History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Volume 14 by Thomas Carlyle
