cinch1

[sinch] /sɪntʃ/
noun
1.
a strong girth used on stock saddles, having a ring at each end to which a strap running from the saddle is secured.
2.
a firm hold or tight grip.
3.
Informal.
  1. something sure or easy:
    This problem is a cinch.
  2. a person or thing certain to fulfill an expectation, especially a team or contestant certain to win a sporting event:
    The Giants are a cinch to win Sunday's game.
verb (used with object)
4.
to gird with a cinch; gird or bind firmly.
5.
Informal. to seize on or make sure of; guarantee:
Ability and hard work cinched her success.
Origin
1855-60, Americanism; < Spanish cincha < Latin cingula girth, equivalent to cing(ere) to gird + -ula -ule

cinch2

[sinch] /sɪntʃ/
noun, Cards.
1.
a variety of the game all fours.
Origin
1885-90; perhaps < Spanish cinco five, a card game
Examples from the web for cinch
  • Easy-to-access caves spread across the region make spelunking a cinch.
  • They're easy to ride, a cinch to store and dirt cheap to run.
  • The interface is easy to learn and creating a fun design is a cinch.
  • While it had its drawbacks, it also had the advantage of being durable, easy to customize and a cinch to repair.
  • We have managed to control so many things so far that procreation will appear to be cinch in a couple of decades.
  • cinch the belt to snug the waistband against the pot.
  • Three straps on each side of the waist belt cinch to cup different hip shapes.
  • cinch the bottom of the jacket closed with a barrel-lock elastic draw cord.
  • All are refreshingly low-fat and a cinch to whip up at home.
  • Espresso based drinks are a cinch to produce too-but often taste slightly watered down.
British Dictionary definitions for cinch

cinch1

/sɪntʃ/
noun
1.
(slang) an easy task
2.
(slang) a certainty
3.
(US & Canadian) a band around a horse's belly to keep the saddle in position Also called (in Britain and certain other countries) girth
4.
(informal) a firm grip
verb
5.
(often foll by up) (US & Canadian) to fasten a girth around (a horse)
6.
(transitive) (informal) to make sure of
7.
(transitive) (informal) to get a firm grip on
Word Origin
C19: from Spanish cincha saddle girth, from Latin cingula girdle, from cingere to encircle

cinch2

/sɪntʃ/
noun
1.
a card game in which the five of trumps ranks highest
Word Origin
C19: probably from cinch1
Word Origin and History for cinch
n.

1859, American English, "saddle-girth," from Spanish cincha "girdle," from Latin cingulum "a girdle, a swordbelt," from cingere "to surround, encircle," from PIE root *kenk- (1) "to gird, encircle" (cf. Sanskrit kankate "binds," kanci "girdle;" Lithuanian kinkau "to harness horses"). Replaced earlier surcingle. Sense of "an easy thing" is 1898, via notion of "a sure hold" (1888).

v.

1866, "to pull in," from cinch (n.). Figurative meaning "make certain" is from 1891, American English slang. Related: Cinched; cinching.

Slang definitions & phrases for cinch

cinch

noun
  1. A certainty; something sure to happen; sure thing: It's a cinch they'll win (1880s+ Cowboys)
  2. Something easily done; breeze, piece of cake: Going up is a bother, coming down's a cinch (1890+)
verb

To make something certain; clinch, NAIL something DOWN: We cinched it with a last-second field goal (1883+)

Related Terms

have something cinched, lead-pipe cinch

[fr Spanish cincha, ''saddle girth,'' which, when tight, fosters certainty]