[noun] [C usually singular]He gave her a playful pinch on the bottom.(UK and ANZ) At a pinch/(US) In a pinch means if it is really necessary, although it is not perfect or what one would really like.I need £2000 to set up the project, but I suppose £1500 would do at a pinch.
PINCH
Meaning of PINCH in English
Cambridge English vocab. Кембриджский английский словарь. 2012