ピンチ
Meanings
1
Used for a difficult or dangerous situation, often sudden. Common in phrases like ピンチを切り抜ける (get out of a pinch).
He always becomes calm when he's in a pinch.
The company fell into a major crisis due to lack of funds.
2
clothespin; clothes peg
Refers to the household item for hanging laundry. Less common than the 'crisis' sense in everyday conversation.
I hung the laundry, fastening it with clothespins.
Usage patterns
- ピンチを切り抜けるto get through a crisis; to overcome a tough spot
The team got through the final crisis and won.
- 〈物〉をピンチで挟むto clip something with a clothespin
I clipped the wet towel with a clothespin and hung it up to dry.
- ピンチに陥るto fall into a crisis; to end up in a tough spot
Due to a lack of funds, the company fell into a management crisis.
- ピンチをチャンスに変えるto turn a crisis into an opportunity
He turned the crisis into an opportunity and succeeded.