1 C1 neutral
to pull or take at something in tiny amounts with the fingers
"The child kept pinching at the loose thread on his sleeve."
inseparable
pinch at
C1 neutral inseparable transitive
to take or pull at something with the fingers in small amounts
In plain English
to grab tiny bits with your fingers
What does "pinch at" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to pinch toward or at something
Actually means
to grab tiny bits with your fingers
Usage tip
Very uncommon in modern English. It may appear in descriptive writing about touching, pulling, or handling small bits.
Words that pair with "pinch at"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
crumbs fabric food edge
How to conjugate "pinch at"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pinch at
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pinches at
he/she/it
Past simple
pinched at
yesterday
Past participle
pinched at
have + pp
-ing form
pinching at
continuous
Hear "pinch at" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pinch at" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pinch at"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.