ピンチ

ぴんち
noun
pinch, crisis, tight spot
1. pinch, crisis, tight spot, predicament
A difficult or dangerous situation where things could go wrong. Often used in sports, games, and everyday life to describe being in trouble.
ピンチを()()けた。
I got through the crisis.
チームは(おお)ピンチを(むか)えている。
The team is facing a major crisis.
ピンチをチャンスに()えるのが一流(いちりゅう)選手(せんしゅ)だ。
Turning a crisis into an opportunity is what makes a top-class player.

USAGE:
Very common in sports commentary, video games, and everyday conversation. Often contrasted with チャンス (chance, opportunity). The phrase ピンチはチャンス (a crisis is an opportunity) is a well-known motivational saying.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ピンチを()()ける (get through a crisis)
  • ピンチを(むか)える (face a crisis)
  • ピンチに(おちい)る (fall into a predicament)
  • ピンチに(つよ)い (strong under pressure)
  • (おお)ピンチ (major crisis)
  • ピンチはチャンス (a crisis is an opportunity)

ETYMOLOGY:
From English "pinch" (in the sense of a tight spot or difficult situation).