at a pinch

very useful little things: clothes-pins

there were many other ways to use than just hanging clothes

examples (common use cases);

to clip papers

to use as a book mark

to seal a bag of chips

to attach a note to the document 

to hold up a memo

here are some suggestions which you can follow;

to hang a curtain

to bind old bills into a bundle

to mark a bill which you haven't paid

to fix creased fabric into a position when you sew

to tuck up a skirt

to decorate a room

to hold a necktie (it's called tie clip)

to create your own clipart (no puns intended)

to put up Christmas decorations (clips could be a part of decorations)

to wear as a pair of earrings (the pain would be severe)

in any case, it's very useful when it comes to the pinch...