Expression: "With a pinch"

[Tom]

Hi

How do we hold something that is dirty--with a pinch or in a pinch?

Do you find the following sentence correct and natural?

[Mister Micawber]

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No, neither option makes sense. Perhaps you mean pick up 'with repulsion' or 'squeamishly'?
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_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Tom]

Thanks, MM

but sometimes we do hold something dirty with the thumb and forefinger--which is why I used the word pinch.

Please shed some light on it.

Thanks again

Tom

[Haihao]

IMHO, "with a pinch" sounds strange and "in a pinch" would mean "in an emergency".

[Inga]

Pinch the edges of the pastry together to seal it. - pinch is a verb here, but it means 'to press', not 'to take', so I am not sure if you can use it here. I think you should settle on with the thumb and forefinger . In Russian we also can say it 'with two/three fingers'.

[Mister Micawber]

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OK-- how about this, Tom? "Please pick up the mop gingerly and throw it out."
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber