1 B2 neutral
to remove the growing tip of a plant with the fingers so it grows differently
"Pinch out the side shoots to help the plant produce larger flowers."
separable
pinch out
B2 neutral separable transitive
to remove a soft tip or small part by pinching, especially to control plant growth
In plain English
to take out a small top part with your fingers
What does "pinch out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
to squeeze something outward until it comes out
Actually means
to take out a small top part with your fingers
Usage tip
Especially common in gardening and plant care.
Words that pair with "pinch out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
shoots tips buds seedlings growth
How to conjugate "pinch out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pinch out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
pinches out
he/she/it
Past simple
pinched out
yesterday
Past participle
pinched out
have + pp
-ing form
pinching out
continuous
Hear "pinch out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pinch out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "pinch out"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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