at a pinch idiom UK (US in a pinch)
必要时；在紧要关头
Something that you can do at a pinch can be done if it is really necessary, but it will be difficult, not perfect, or not what you would really like
I need £2,000 to set up the business, but I suppose £1,500 would do at a pinch. 我需要2000英镑来创办这个公司，不过实在凑不够，1500英镑也可以。