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Glite Dictionary
🤏 To squeeze tightly 🤏 A small squeeze 😣 A hard situation 🕵️ To steal 🧂 A small amount 👐 To shape by squeezing 👮 An arrest 🌱 To cut a tip 📱 To zoom with fingers 📱 A zoom gesture
to pinch

to pinch

34 8.0
Steal something small, often of little value
  • verb
  • /pɪnʧ/
  • Informal
translation icon : birlar
  • Never a word about the last bottle of whiskey I pinched.
  • pinch from a pocket
  • pinch a bag

I once got my car pinched, but he's got so many stories.

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Examples

Synonyms

to sneak
vsto pinch
699 2.8

To move or take something quietly so others do not notice

is an informal small value action, not defined chiefly by the secretive method
to pick
vsto pinch
58 8.4

To steal small things from someone's pocket or bag

is used broadly for informal small thefts, not only pocket taking
to swipe
vsto pinch
  • Informal
49 5.5

To take something quickly without the owner noticing

is an informal small item taking that stresses minor value rather than speed
to lift
vsto pinch
  • Informal
35 8.1

To steal something secretly from a shop or person

is an informal small value taking not focused on trickery or skill
to pilfer
vsto pinch
16 6.5

To steal small things of little value, often a little at a time

is usually a single act rather than repeated low value stealing
to purloin
vsto pinch
4 9.6

To steal something secretly or dishonestly

is informal and usually refers to small or minor acts, not formal theft
to filch
vsto pinch
4 8.4

To steal a small thing quietly when no one is looking

is an informal taking that does not require secretive methods
to hook
vsto pinch
  • Slang
3 9.1

To steal something, especially quickly in a crowded place

is mainly used for small minor items rather than general theft
to snarf
vsto pinch
  • Slang
1 9.9

To take something quickly, often without permission

is mainly used for small informal thefts rather than simply fast taking
to pickpocketing
vsto pinch
4.6

To steal small items, especially money, from someone's pocket or bag without them noticing

is a general informal small theft not confined to pockets or clothing
to nobble
vsto pinch
  • NSFW
9.9

British informal word for stealing someone else's things

is a general informal term for small thefts, not specifically British
to snatch someone's purse
vsto pinch
7.7

Grab someone's handbag quickly and run away to steal it

is an informal term for taking small items rather than grabbing with force

Antonyms

return
231 1.0

An act of giving something back to its owner

Idioms

a pinch of
12 1.5

A very small amount of salt or spice used in cooking

to pinch a loaf
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To go to the toilet to poo

at a pinch
  • UK
7.7

If necessary in a difficult or emergency situation

Phrasal Verbs

to pinch-hit
  • US
8 7.6

To do another person's work for a short time when they cannot

to penny-pinch
  • Informal
1 7.7

Spend very little money and avoid buying things you do not need

to pinch one off
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To go to the toilet to poop in a rude way

to pinch someone's tushie
  • Offensive
9.9

To squeeze someone's bottom playfully to show affection or flirt

Compounds

pinch hitter
  • Jargon
8 6.7

A player who bats in place of another or someone who fills a job for a short time

pinch of sugar
1 1.0

A very small amount of sugar you can hold between your thumb and finger

pinch bar
  • US
1 7.4

A long strong metal tool with a pointed end used to lift heavy things

playful pinch
  • Informal
3.1

A light squeeze on someone's skin to tease or show affection

How Serious

to rob
696 1.2
to steal
∞ 1.0
to pinch
  • Informal
34 8.0
to swipe
  • Informal
49 5.5

Surface Forms

pinch infinitive
pinched past
pinched past participle
pinching present participle
pinches third person singular

Etymology

A helpful way to remember the informal use of pinch meaning 'steal' is to imagine someone quickly taking something small between finger and thumb, as if they 'pinched' it away.