Crossword Genius

A kind of dance? Go slowly if necessary (2,1,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

at a pinch

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'if necessary' is the definition.
(at a pinch means if required)

'a kind of dance? go slowly' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'a' is found in the answer.
'dance?' could be 'tap' (tapping dance is a kind of dancing) and 'tap' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'inch' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for at a pinch that I've seen before include "In case of necessity" , "in case of emergency" , "In time of difficulty or necessity - nip it" , "in a crisis?" , "under pressure" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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