pinch
noun
Pinch — informal slang for catching someone in the act of wrongdoing
Definition
The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
In depth
A pinch is the act of apprehending, especially a criminal, informal crime slang closely related to 'collar' and 'catch,' often specifically implying that the suspect was caught in the act of committing the offense itself, rather than apprehended later through investigation. The word carries a vivid, somewhat old-fashioned crime-fiction energy.
Origin
The word's extension from its literal sense, squeezing tightly between fingers, to mean an arrest likely reflects the physical image of being firmly gripped and held, much as 'collar' draws on a similar physical image of forceful seizure during the moment of capture.
Usage examples
"It was a good pinch, the officer catching the thief with the stolen goods still in hand."
"Old crime novels are full of colorful slang describing every kind of pinch, from the clumsy to the masterfully executed."
"The undercover operation finally resulted in a significant pinch after months of careful, patient groundwork."
How to use it
Pinch in this sense is informal, somewhat dated crime slang, well suited to period crime fiction and casual conversation about law enforcement, though less common in contemporary everyday usage than its near-synonyms 'catch' or 'bust.'
Related concepts
Looking for a word but don't know its name?
Try the Word Finder →