In the last year since we bought our house, I've twice found myself using pliers to grip in reverse.

Last year, our dishwasher broke. And while I've never been handy, I decided I'd rather figure out how to fix it if I could. Sure enough, I was able to figure out that the plastic sprayer retainer nut had snapped. I grabbed a new one ($5), but then realized that the snapped-off bit was inside another part and couldn't be removed without the snapped-off bit that was essentially a grip (https://i.imgur.com/mcCeufe.jpeg). After trying needle-nose pliers and considering (and rejecting) an exacto blade (too much risk of cutting too much), I used a pair of regular pliers, stuck it in the middle, and opened it as wide as possible. With it braced against the inner part of the ring, I was able to turn the pliers and turn the ring itself, slowly but surely getting it out.

Last night, my wife tripped and knocked over a lamp, and the led bulb broke from its base, leaving the base in the socket (https://i.imgur.com/CbC7u0P.jpeg). And once again, only pliers from the inside (after unplugging the lamp, of course) allowed me to remove the base and make the lamp usable again.

Just a reminder that there are multiple ways to use tools, and that (within reason and safety) you should see about fixing things yourself before hiring outsiders or purchasing new items.