Pinching is a physical action where a person uses their fingers to grasp or squeeze a small area of skin or an object. This action can be used to express annoyance, to get someone's attention, or to manipulate small items. In a more playful context, pinching can also refer to a light-hearted gesture among friends or family. In the context of cooking, pinching can refer to the technique of using fingers to combine ingredients, such as when making pastry dough. This method helps to incorporate fats into flour, creating a flaky texture. The term can also apply to the act of measuring small amounts of ingredients, like a pinch of salt.