How do you use "Pinch pennies" in a sentence?

We had to pinch pennies when I was a student. She pinches pennies even though she's wealthy. No need to pinch pennies on this project.

Pinch pennies

Q: What does "Pinch pennies" mean?

To be very careful with money, to economize strictly To be extremely frugal, squeezing every penny to get maximum value. Not necessarily negative—can be necessary economizing or excessive stinginess.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: To be very careful with money, to economize strictly

非常节省，严格节约

Ser muy cuidadoso con el dinero, economizar estrictamente

非常にお金を慎重に使う、厳しく節約する

돈을 매우 아끼다, 극도로 절약하다

To be extremely frugal, squeezing every penny to get maximum value. Not necessarily negative—can be necessary economizing or excessive stinginess.

极度节俭，把每一分钱都掰成两半花。不一定是贬义——可以是必要的节省，也可以是过度的吝啬。

Ser extremadamente frugal, exprimiendo cada céntimo para obtener el máximo valor. No necesariamente negativo: puede ser una economía necesaria o una tacañería excesiva.

非常に倹約で、すべてのペニーを絞って最大限の価値を得ること。必ずしもネガティブではなく、必要な節約の場合もあれば、過度なけちの場合もある。

극도로 검소하게 모든 한 푼에서 최대한의 가치를 쥐어짜는 것. 반드시 부정적인 것은 아니며, 필요한 절약일 수도 있고 과도한 인색함일 수도 있다.

Examples

We had to pinch pennies when I was a student.
我上学的时候我们得精打细算
Cuando era estudiante teníamos que contar cada céntimo
学生の頃は一銭一銭切り詰めなければならなかった
학생 때는 한 푼 한 푼 아껴 써야 했어.
She pinches pennies even though she's wealthy.
她虽然很富有，但还是斤斤计较
Cuenta cada céntimo aunque es rica
裕福なのに彼女はケチケチしている
부자인데도 그녀는 쥐어짜듯 절약해.
No need to pinch pennies on this project.
这个项目不用省着花
No hay necesidad de escatimar en este proyecto
このプロジェクトでは節約する必要はない
이 프로젝트에서는 굳이 절약할 필요 없어.

Pronunciation

/pɪntʃ ˈpeniz/

Usage Guide

Context: frugality, budgeting, economizing

Tone: practical or critical

✓ Do Say

Pinch pennies
精打细算
Contar cada céntimo
ケチケチする
푼푼이 아끼다
Had to pinch pennies
不得不精打细算
Tuvimos que contar cada céntimo
節約せざるを得なかった
절약할 수밖에 없었다

✗ Don't Say

Can be neutral or negative
可以是中性或贬义
Puede ser neutro o negativo
中立にもネガティブにもなりうる
중립적이거나 부정적일 수 있음

Common Mistakes

None—widely understood

Origin & History

From the image of pinching (squeezing) pennies to get the most value from every single one. Related to 'penny pincher.' American, 19th century.

Etymology: From squeezing value from every penny

First recorded: 19th century American

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Budgeting discussions

Regional notes: American origin but now universal.

Variations

Pinch penniesPinching pennies