: To get rid of or Reduce the very best of Specially : to shorten or take away the highest of (a plant) : pinch sense 1b What need to he count on, when he seeks for preferment, but common opposition, when He's mounting the ladder, and every hand ready https://share.evernote.com/note/7a64ee2f-8561-e38e-342e-5191a613672e