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单词 stretch
释义
stretch1 verbstretch2 nounstretch3 adjective
stretchstretch1 /stretʃ/ ●●● S3 W3 verb Entry menu
MENU FOR stretchstretch1 make something bigger/looser2 body3 reach4 make something tight5 time/series6 in space7 stretch your legs8 stretch (somebody’s) patience/credulity9 rule/limit10 stretch the truth/facts11 be stretching it12 food/money13 be stretched (to the limit)14 not stretch to something15 abilitiesPhrasal verbsstretch out
Word Origin
WORD ORIGINstretch1
Origin:
Old English streccan
Verb Table
VERB TABLE
stretch
Simple Form
PresentI, you, we, theystretch
he, she, itstretches
PastI, you, he, she, it, we, theystretched
Present perfectI, you, we, theyhave stretched
he, she, ithas stretched
Past perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theyhad stretched
FutureI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill stretch
Future perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill have stretched
Continuous Form
PresentIam stretching
he, she, itis stretching
you, we, theyare stretching
PastI, he, she, itwas stretching
you, we, theywere stretching
Present perfectI, you, we, theyhave been stretching
he, she, ithas been stretching
Past perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theyhad been stretching
FutureI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill be stretching
Future perfectI, you, he, she, it, we, theywill have been stretching
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • "Can I borrow your boots?" "No, you'll stretch them."
  • Stretch the canvas so that it covers the whole frame.
  • Campers stretched string between posts to mark off their sites.
  • Careful, don't stretch it, it'll snap!
  • elasticated straps designed to stretch easily
  • He stretched a large tarpaulin over the vehicle, tying it down at the corners.
  • I think this sweater must have stretched when I washed it.
  • I was disappointed with the course -- I didn't feel I was being stretched enough.
  • Lycra shorts will stretch to fit you perfectly.
  • Norma picked up a stocking, stretched it and then pulled it onto her foot.
  • Seth stretched the phone cord around the corner so that he could speak in private.
  • Sometimes we have to stretch one day's food into two.
  • The elastic stretches so that the shoe can be slipped on and off.
  • The exercises are designed to stretch the abilities of even the most advanced students.
  • The game is a lot of fun, and it really stretches the kids.
  • The oil slick stretched all the way to the horizon.
  • There were poppy fields stretching as far as the eye could see.
  • This fabric will stretch if you wash it in hot water.
  • Today, just 5% remains of the original wooded land that stretched from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.
  • Uncle John pulled hard on the bell-rope, which stretched and then broke.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Fish cakes of all kinds are a terrific way to use up leftovers or stretch a quantity of protein.
  • It would stretch round the equator 97 times or reach to the moon and back five times.
  • Now there, I'd stretch a point.
  • Threads are then stretched or loosened by the weaver moving her body back and forth.
Thesaurus
THESAURUS
to walk, do sports etc in order to stay healthy and become stronger: · To lose weight, exercise regularly and eat less.
this phrase is much more common than the verb exercise, and means the same thing: · Her doctor said that she needed to do more exercise.· My son does very little exercise – I don’t know how he stays so slim.· Dogs need lots of exercise.
to stay or to become physically healthy and strong – used especially when you consider exercise as a way to keep a nice-looking body: · Try jogging with a friend who also wants to get in shape.
British English to exercise regularly in order to stay healthy and strong: · The class encourages older people to keep fit.
to do exercise in order to be healthy and strong, especially to exercise regularly in a gym or exercise class: · He works out three times a week.
(also firm up) to exercise in order to make your body or part of your body firmer: · I need to tone up my stomach and legs.
to do gentle exercises to prepare your body for more active exercise: · It’s important to warm up before you begin to play.
to reach your arms, legs, or body out to full length, in order to make your muscles as long as possible, so that you do not injure them when you exercise: · Jog for five minutes, then stretch before starting on your run.
(also loosen up) to do gentle exercises so that your muscles are warm and not tight before you begin a more active exercise: · The footballers were limbering up before a training session.
especially British English to prepare for a sporting event by exercising in a particular way: · She’s training to do the London Marathon.
British English, practice American English to do a sports activity regularly, in order to get better and prepare for competition: · The team practices on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Longman Language Activatorto become bigger
to become bigger: · The hole in the ozone layer is getting bigger all the time.· More workers were taken on as the organization got bigger.· Teachers are reporting higher stress levels as class sizes get bigger.get bigger and bigger (=continue to become bigger): · The cloud of dust and debris was getting bigger and bigger as the wind grew stronger.
use this especially about amounts, organizations, and places: · Mark's business grew rapidly in the first year.· Tandem's annual profits grew by 24% in one year.· Tokyo has grown a lot over the last ten years.
to become bigger in size or amount. If a business, organization, or system expands , it becomes bigger and more successful: · Metals expand when they are heated.· The universe is constantly expanding.· Medical insurance companies expanded rapidly during the 1980s.· The sports and leisure market is expanding more quickly than ever before.
if a part of your body swells up , it becomes larger than usual, especially because of an illness or injury: · I dropped a brick on my foot, and it swelled up like a balloon.· His face had swollen up because of the operation.
if something such as a piece of clothing stretches , it gets bigger and changes its shape especially because it has been pulled: · Your jeans will stretch a little once you start wearing them.· The elastic stretches so that the shoe can be slipped on and off.· This fabric will stretch if you wash it in hot water.
to make something bigger
to make something bigger - use this especially about increasing numbers or amounts, or about increasing the size of a company or organization: · She intends to expand the company's operations in the US.· The university is planning to expand the number of students to over 20,000.
to make a company or economy bigger and increase the amount of business that it does - used especially in business English: · All this is necessary if we are to grow the business.
to pull cloth, plastic, leather, etc so that it gets bigger and changes its shape: · Stretch the canvas so that it covers the whole frame.
to make something bigger, for example a photograph or an image on a computer. Enlarge is more formal than blow up .: · That's a nice photo, why don't you get it enlarged?· If the opening is too small, you can always enlarge it later.· The new photocopier will enlarge documents by up to 100%.blow something up: · You should blow that picture up and frame it.blow up something: · This section of the print has been blown up so that the enemy's tanks can be clearly seen.
to make an image or detail bigger, especially by using a microscope: · This microscope can magnify an object up to forty times.· The image is magnified by a series of lenses within the telescope.
British to make a building bigger by adding more rooms or more space: · The hotel has been recently renovated and extended.· We're thinking of extending the kitchen.
needing a lot of skill, hard work, and determination
a challenging job or activity needs a lot of hard work and skill, but it is also interesting and enjoyable: · The job wasn't challenging enough for me - I wanted something more creative.· Bowden called the piece "one of the most challenging pieces of music I've ever played."
if a new job or activity is a challenge , it is difficult, but you are determined to do it because it is interesting and exciting: · You may find your first couple of months in the job quite a challenge.· Getting the two groups to work together was a challenge, but we did it.
a demanding job or activity is very difficult and tiring, because it needs all your effort and skill: · Being a nurse in a busy hospital is a demanding job - you don't get much free time.
if something is daunting , it seems almost impossible, and the idea of doing it makes you feel nervous: · Climbing Everest is a daunting challenge for any mountaineer.daunting task: · I was faced with the daunting task of learning the whole script in 24 hours.
spoken use this about something that needs a lot of effort, skill, or determination, and you admire someone who does it: · Winning 3 gold medals in the Olympic Games takes some doing.· It took some doing, but I finally persuaded Jim to give me a few more days off.
formal difficult for someone because of needing more mental or physical effort than they are able to give: · The job was taxing, but there were some good moments.· Later in the pregnancy when the drive to work was getting too taxing, I worked at home two days a week.
needing hard work and a lot of attention given to the details of a job, in order to make sure that it is done well: · Film-editing is a difficult and exacting job.· The article is based on the institute's exacting study of wages in the health care professions.
if an activity, job etc stretches you, it is difficult enough to make you use all your skill, ability etc, and this helps you become better at it: · The exercises are designed to stretch the abilities of even the most advanced students.· I was disappointed with the course -- I didn't feel I was being stretched enough.
to continue for a particular distance
to continue over a particular distance, especially a long distance: extend/stretch around/over/through etc: · The desert stretches over five different countries.· From the corner of the terrace the path extended down to the sea.stretch from something to something: · The valley stretches from Vassai in the north to Momere in the southwest.extend/stretch for: · The estuary stretches for over 100 miles.
the distance that something can travel over or reach: range of: · The rockets have a range of 4000 km.· A typical radio signal has a range of about 100 miles.within range (=at a distance that is less than the range): · As soon as the tanks came within range, the soldiers opened fire.out of range (=at a distance greater than the range): · The enemy were just out of range of our cannon.· The demonstrators were hurling rocks but the police stayed out of range.
to not have enough of something
· The computer doesn't have enough memory - it just crashes all the time.not have enough time/money etc to do something · We don't have enough time to go shopping now.not have enough to do/eat/ drink etc · The number of children in the cities that do not have enough to eat is rising daily.
to not have enough money to do something: · We can't afford a really good printer right now.· I know I can't really afford it, but I want to buy her something nice.can't afford to do something (=not have enough money to do it): · I can't afford to fly, so I'm renting a car.· I can't afford to have any more unpaid days off.
to not have enough of something that is necessary, such as money or food: · I was short of money, so George lent me $20.· The county is short of affordable housing, and the situation is getting worse.· The pilot knew the plane was low on fuel.
informal to have less than you should have of a useful or important quality: · Warren is a good worker, but short on new ideas.· I sometimes felt our evenings together were a little short on fun.
to be using so much of something that you will soon not have enough of it left: · We're running out of time - can you finish up quickly?· Is the world running out of natural resources?· The refugees are running short of supplies and winter is approaching.
to have only just enough money or just enough of a supply of something, so that you have to be very careful about how you use it: · With a hundred thousand new people in the area, city resources are stretched. be stretched to the breaking point/the limit (=to have so little of something that you are likely to fail): · If this cut in resources occurs, it could severely damage a social fabric that is already stretched to the breaking point.be stretched thin American: · The army's supply lines in the area along the southern border were stretched dangerously thin.
informal to not have enough money at the present time: · We sold the restaurant when we were strapped for cash a few years ago.· If you are seriously strapped for cash, I'm sure Robert could give you a job.
not containing as much of a particular substance or not having as much of a particular quality as is necessary - used especially in scientific contexts: deficient in: · Your diet is deficient in vitamins.protein/nutrient/iron etc deficient: · Only hormone-deficient children are allowed to use the drug.
to be given much less of something than is needed: · Most of the animals are just starved of attention.· She admitted that living on the island she had been starved of conversation and ideas.· Starved of foreign aid money, the country collapsed into war last year.
to lie down after you have been standing or sitting
to put yourself in a flat position on a surface such as a bed, especially in order to relax or to go to sleep: · You look really tired. Why don't you go and lie down for a while?· For this exercise, it is best to lie down, or sit with both feet on the floor.lie down on: · I didn't feel very well, so I lay down on the bed and tried to rest.
to put yourself in a flat position on a surface: lie on: · Libby switched off the light and lay on the couch, staring into the darkness.· Lie on the floor and put your legs in the air.lie on your back/stomach: · The baby was lying on his back in his crib, perfectly content.
to lie with your body and legs straight so that you can relax: · I think I'll go upstairs and stretch out for a little while.stretch out on: · "I'm pooped," said Homer, stretching out on his bunk.
to lie or sit with your arms or legs stretched out in a lazy or careless way: sprawl/sprawl out on: · "What a beautiful day," said Olly, sprawling out on the sand.· Kerry came into the room, obviously drunk, and sprawled on the bed.
to be in a lying position
to be in a flat position, for example on a bed or the floor: lie in/on etc: · I spent most of the morning lying in bed.lie face down: · When they found him, he was lying face down in a pool of blood.lie on your back/stomach: · Frank was lying there flat on his back, snoring away.
formal to lie or lean back in a very relaxed way: recline on: · Many of Roche's earlier paintings are of young men reclining on sofas.recline in: · Reclining in a comfortable chair, David idly flipped through a magazine.
lying with your body and legs straight in order to relax because your body is tired: · Sean was stretched out on the carpet, listening to music.· As she let herself in the front door, she caught sight of Stafford, stretched out on the sofa, a book in hand.lie stretched out: · The dog lay stretched out in front of the fire.
lying or sitting with your arms or legs stretched out in a lazy or careless way: · There was Quinn, sprawled out on the grass, sound asleep.lie sprawled/sprawled out: · The children were lying sprawled out in front of the television.
especially British lying flat with your arms and legs spread as wide apart as possible: · Ellen lost her balance and ended up spreadeagled on her back on the pavement.· The court heard how he confronted the couple, forced them to lie spreadeagled on the ground, and pointed a gun at their heads.
to make something longer
· The sleeves on this jacket are too short; do you think you could make them just a little longer?· Mr Watson said my essay was OK, but maybe I should have made it longer.· If you want to make the story longer, embellish it and ask your child questions about the characters.
to make something longer especially in order to make it more suitable or useful: · He wore blue jeans, which had been lengthened with strips of denim.· This particular operation involves lengthening the Achilles tendon.
to make something such as a line, road, or passage longer so that it reaches further: · Miners have extended the tunnel in order to get a new supply of coal.extend something to something: · They will extend the subway from central Buffalo to the smaller towns around the city.
to make a piece of string, elastic, cloth etc longer by pulling it: · Norma picked up a stocking, stretched it and then pulled it onto her foot.· Careful, don't stretch it, it'll snap!
to become longer
· You've lost weight, and your hair's got longer.· The traffic tailback seems to be getting longer, not shorter!get longer and longer (=become continuously longer) · The Internet may be booming, but the list of failed dotcom companies is getting longer and longer.· These forms seem to get longer and longer.
to gradually become longer: · As afternoon drew on and the shadows lengthened, her fears increased.· The crack seemed to open wider and lengthen before her eyes.· He smiled and the creases at the corners of his eyes lengthened.
if a piece of string, elastic, cloth etc stretches , it gets longer, especially because it is being pulled: · Uncle John pulled hard on the bell-rope, which stretched and then broke.· elasticated straps designed to stretch easily
ways of saying that clothes become looser
if clothes stretch or if you stretch them, they become looser and do not fit you properly any more: · I think this sweater must have stretched when I washed it. · "Can I borrow your boots?" "No, you'll stretch them."
if tight clothes or shoes give , they become looser after you have been wearing them: · Don't worry if swimsuits are tight -- they always give a little.· These shoes should start to give after you've worn them for a few weeks.
when something is long or high enough to reach something
also go as far as something to be long enough to reach a particular point: · I want a rug that goes right to the edge of the room.· You'll have to move the television a little this way. The plug won't go as far as the wall from there.go all the way to somethingalso go right the way to something British: · The fence went all the way over to the other side of the park.
to be long enough, high enough, or deep enough to get to a particular place or point: · It won't work - the ladder won't reach.· The snow almost reached my knees.· You see, the paint doesn't quite reach the edge of the paper.reach as far as/down to etc: · I don't think these curtains will reach down to the floor.
to be high enough to reach as far as a particular point: · She was wearing grey socks that went right up to her knees.· After the flood, the water level in the river almost went up to the top of the dam.go all the way up to somethingalso go right the way up to something British (=reach the whole distance to something): · The Christmas tree went all the way up to the ceiling.
to be long enough to reach down as far as a particular point: · The rope went down to the bottom of the cliff.· She had long blonde hair that went down to her waist.go all the way down to somethingalso go right the way down to something British (=reach a long way down): · The scar on his face went from his eye all the way down to his chin.
to reach up to a part of the body such as the knee, neck, or shoulder: · In the shallow end of the pool, the water comes up to my waist.· Freddie's been growing so fast - he already comes up to my shoulder.
if a piece of clothing comes down to a part of your body such as your elbows, waist, or knees, it is long enough to reach that part: · I can't wear this sweater - it almost comes down to my knees!· If you go into a mosque, you should wear sleeves that at least come down to your elbows.
if something such as a river, road, or area of land stretches to a particular place, it reaches that place: stretch down to: · We followed a small track that stretched down to the sea.stretch as far as: · We could see the mountains stretching as far as Vermont.stretch from something to something: · Today, just 5% remains of the original wooded land that stretched from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.stretch all the way to somethingalso stretch right the way to something British: · The oil slick stretched all the way to the horizon.stretch into the distance/stretch as far as the eye can see (=continue as far as you can see into the distance): · There were poppy fields stretching as far as the eye could see.
if something such as a river or area of land extends as far as a particular place, it reaches that place - use this especially in technical writing, descriptions etc: : extend as far as/to etc: · The River Nile extends as far as Lake Victoria.· Smith Point is a small piece of land extending a hundred yards or so into the water.extend all the way from something to somethingalso extend right the way from something to something British: · The Soviet Union extended all the way from the Baltic Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
to make something tight
to make something tight, either by fastening it firmly so that it cannot move, or by pulling it until it is tight: tighten a screw/bolt (=by turning it): · Tighten the screws gradually until the wheel is firmly in place.· He changed the spanner for one the correct size and tightened the nut.tighten a rope/belt/string etc: · I think the fan belt needs to be tightened.
to pull a string, rope etc hard, so that it becomes tight: · Brian wrapped some string round the parcel and pulled it tight.· She buttoned her jacket all the way up and pulled the collar tight around her neck.
to pull a piece of rope, cloth, rubber etc so that it becomes tight, making it slightly longer than it normally is: · Seth stretched the phone cord around the corner so that he could speak in private.stretch something over/between etc something: · He stretched a large tarpaulin over the vehicle, tying it down at the corners.
to walk for pleasure or exercise
· Walking instead of driving is an excellent way of losing weight.walk in/across/along etc · Sheena's up at six every morning to walk along the beach.· I like to go walking in the woods, just to breathe the air.
to walk somewhere for pleasure or for exercise. Go for a walk is more common in spoken English than take a walk: · It's a lovely evening. Let's go for a walk.go for a walk/take a walk along/through/across etc: · He said he was going for a walk around the block to clear his head.· We arrived in St Louis at noon, and took a walk down by the Mississippi River.
to walk in a slow and relaxed way, especially for pleasure: go for a stroll along/through/across etc: · Dave strolled along the riverbank, enjoying the evening sun.· They decided to go for a stroll along the beach.
to take a long walk in the countryside: · Patricia likes doing active things like canoeing, hiking, and horse-riding.· We're going to hike to the top of that hill over there.go hiking: · We're going hiking in Scotland this summer.
especially British to walk a very long way, especially in the mountains, for enjoyment: · We trekked up Mount Calahi for five days.· The scouts will have to trek 40km back to the base camp.go trekking: · Maria's going trekking in the Himalayas this year.
to walk around for a little exercise after a long time sitting down: · After so long on the train, we couldn't wait to get out and stretch our legs.· Do you feel like stopping here and stretching your legs?
to take your dog for a walk: · I get quite a lot of exercise myself by walking the dog.· Geoff wants a Walkman for when he walks the dogs.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
 This once, I’ll stretch the rules and let you leave work early.
 We’ll stretch a point (=allow a rule to be broken) and let the baby travel free this time.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· I dreamt I saw my mother again with her arms stretched out towards me.
(=a long area of coast)· The 13th century chapel lies on a spectacular stretch of coast.
 a beautiful stretch of coastline
(=seem very difficult to believe) It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet.
(=a very large area of desert)· In front of us was nothing but a vast expanse of desert.
(=make the lead bigger)· The Australian rugby team extended its lead with a try from Stirling Mortlock.
(=a mark on your skin caused by stretching)· Most women get stretch marks when they have a baby.
· This stretch of motorway is always very busy.
· It’s a good idea to stretch your muscles after weight lifting.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.
· The queue stretched the full length of the building.
(=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed)· They bend the rules to suit themselves.
(=open them completely)· The cage was so small the birds could not even stretch their wings.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· The significance of their municipal election on June 30 stretches far beyond this unfortunate town.· Leeds C & A cheaper separates just did not stretch far enough.· Even so there were times when the money just would not stretch far enough.· Their shadows stretched far ahead of them in the morning sun, and he leapt down on to the shadow of the leader.· Impressive enough as a light visual snack, but ultimately a ten-minute gag stretched far past breaking point.· Because a Hoover lead would never stretch far enough!
· Raise your arms towards the toes, lifting the head and shoulders off the floor. Gently stretch upwards for 15 counts.· From here, gently stretch forwards for 25 counts.· Stretch arms up high, then slowly lean forwards as far as you can without straining. Gently stretch forwards for 25 counts.· The legs should be gently stretched in this exercise.· Lower the hands and body towards one leg. Gently stretch forwards for 15 counts, holding each stretch for 1 second.
NOUN
· Maureen covers an area which stretches from Swansea to Wootton Bassett and across to Birmingham.· The depot will serve an area stretching from Dumbarton to Cumbernauld.· But worst hit is the area stretching from Witney to Wallingford with a 20% rise.· To tone the chin and neck area, stretch you chin up as you do the exercise.
· He stretched out his arms but had no room to manoeuvre.· Then, gradually, he stretched out in her arms.· Millions of tiny polyps have emerged from their limestone cells to stretch out their minuscule arms and grope for food.· Jim switched his engine off and stretched his arms.· He then stretches out his arms and attempts to grab the sole of each foot.· It gets even better when you stop, stretch out your arms and soak in the surroundings with a full turn.
· I was stretched full-length upon the bodies, my battered hand resting on the rim of the tub.· He lay back and she stretched her body over his, leaning to his mouth and parting his lips with her tongue.· Just as you have stretched your body beyond what you had previously thought possible, so you can stretch your mind.· She raised her arms, stretched her long tanned body in the heat of the sun.· You will be told to try to stretch and relax your body from the feet upwards.· She sighed and stretched her body sensuously beneath the sheet, listening dreamily to the almost comforting thrum of the receding planes.· If you are not regularly stretching your body aerobically in some form of continuous whole body exercise, then you are sedentary.
· An artificial creature made of metal discs and beads may be stretching the imagination a bit.· This is not absolutely necessary but it would stretch your imagination and further clarify the entire research process from beginning to end.· This game will certainly stretch the imagination of D & D gamers.· Now, for a moment I want you to stretch your imagination to the limits.· Like mathematics, it doesn't only stretch the imagination.· It is not Venice but it has warmth, colour, and views such as could stretch the most infertile imagination.
· Woods then holed a birdie putt from six feet to stretch his lead to four.· Two plays later, Humphries found Martin in the corner of the end zone to stretch the lead to 14-0.· Dundela stretched their lead with further goals from Wilson and Doey.· Davy Marrs stretched North's lead with a try a minute before half time following a good three-quarter line movement.· In the second half Aston stretched Sheffield's lead with another penalty.· Second Division leaders Stockton stretched their lead at the top to points after they beat Hebburn 4-1.· He stretched the lead two minutes into the second half with his fourth kick.
· Instead of sitting on the Alligator, you sit in it, with your legs stretched forward.· When these peo-ple get up and move the legs, or stretch them, or massage them, the sensation goes away.· He sat leaning against the back of the seat with his legs stretched out straight in front of him.· Straighten both legs and stretch right out of your hips; straighten the spine and let your chin fall to your chest.· Move your legs apart and stretch your hands above your head.· The legs should be gently stretched in this exercise.· Sitting with legs apart, stretch up, then twist at the waist and lower the hands and body towards one leg.
· I swung my boots up on to the bed and stretched out full length.· And the line, which stretched nearly the length of Mizner Park, moved quickly.· Eliot was stretched the length of his iron bedstead.· The field of battle which our commanding generals selected stretched its length for six miles through that great forest....· Anthea turned out the light and stretched full length on the bed.· Horton had stretched lengths of fabric, also figured, over the doors, creating a deep, cave-like illusion.· The exit was impossible to reach as this abyss stretched the length of the floor.· The Headmaster turned towards a row of small carts sitting on a miniature railway track that stretched the length of the corridor.
· Similar incidents occurred all over the Old City and the manpower Owen could command was stretched to its limit.· When they act in concert, the individual soon begins to feel stretched to the limit.· Banks have frozen loans and many small businesses are stretched to the limit.· Employees, when surveyed, had repeatedly reported being stretched to the limit.· However, these constraints need to be tested and stretched to their limits.· Resources are stretched to the limit and, unless some one helps, the country will be awash with tears on Christmas morning.· Olympic ideals were stretched to the limit.
· The second half of the nineteenth century saw suburban development along the railway lines stretching out of Paris.· And the line, which stretched nearly the length of Mizner Park, moved quickly.· He saw a line of fires stretching across South London, huge fires at regular intervals, their flames red and frightening.· By 6: 30 a. m., the line of Selena look-alikes stretched nearly three blocks.· Elasticity is important: I do not always prefer a line which stretches the least.· Bobbie exhorted, as we sat staring at the invisible line that stretched beyond us.· As the many Ontario lines stretched out in the 1870s and 1880s, dozens of new stations were built.· Organizers who were fretting about millions of unsold tickets are contending with lines of hopeful spectators stretching five city blocks.
· Of sand, surf and sea stretching for mile after mile after mile into the blue haze.· Endlessly, the weeks stretched out, like mile upon mile of ocean.· A convoy of cars stretching for miles was escorted by Merseyside Police outriders.· It stretched for miles in each direction, with not a soul to be seen.· An audience can only sit at the front of the stage and the hall stretches back for miles.· Silhouetted sticks of rotted snow barriers emphasise godforsaken desert stretching for endless miles.· The village itself stretches for about a mile southwards from the Driffield-Bridlington road.· Five miles away the Ceredigion heritage coast stretches for miles and miles.
· People before have stretched their necks towards them, like you, wonder-gazing children not able to sleep.· His smallest robot is bigger than a man; the largest is two-stories high when it stretches its neck.· When the man stepped back he trotted, stretching his neck to the ground.· The chickens were walking around loose, stretching out their necks, pulling them back.· Habit of appearing to stand on tiptoe, stretching the neck.· Some held their chins high, stretching necks, their expressions agonized, like martyrs in paintings.· As it is, I've stretched my neck out by ordering a full alert in the West Country.
· It may stretch credulity to the point that signs of real abuse are overlooked.· But we are stretching a point, you might argue.· But here Hallinan again stretches his point about direct economic interest.· We have stretched points, legitimately and logically we trust, in other areas of the structure.· Now there, I'd stretch a point.· The imagination of the most extreme selectionist is stretched to breaking point by such a situation.· The silence vibrated with tension, and Polly felt her nerves stretch almost to snapping point.· I think it has come at a very unfortunate time, putting some stretched farmers at breaking point.
· It was a rough job, but somehow it didn't look that different with the skin stretched over straw instead of ribs.· Her skin, stretched over tendons and bones, had the delicacy of rice paper.· The wrinkled skin was stretched tightly over the bones, paper-thin, blue-shadowed over pink crêpe.· Their skin was stretched out between long spines, which seems to have acted as a cooling radiator.· Tugged on that glossy skin until her eyes stretched wide and her chin tipped back.· If too high the skin will stretch and be too thin.
VERB
· Still the road seemed to stretch onwards endlessly, darkness replacing darkness, as he staggered forward.· Sometimes countries seem to stretch these criteria.· It glittered like glass and seemed to stretch out endlessly.· If Virginia Street seemed to stretch the material to fill the space, this second play seems to cram it in.· The woods used to seem to stretch up to the sky.· The old mills, which had employed thousands, seemed to stretch on for miles.· Its sing-a-long chorus was tempered with a churning ending that seemed to stretch for half the song.
· He relinquished her hand and stood, stretching the tiredness from his muscles.· He swung his legs over the side of the bed, stood up, and stretched.· Habit of appearing to stand on tiptoe, stretching the neck.· Opening his door Elder Brother jumped down, stumbled briefly then stood and stretched.· Surkov and I stood up and stretched.· I wanted to stand up and stretch.· His friend Theseus stood before him and stretched out his hands to clasp those bloodstained hands.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • I would be stretching the patience of my audience if I commented on them.
  • It may stretch credulity to the point that signs of real abuse are overlooked.
  • Reporters sometimes stretch the facts to catch a reader's eye.
  • He's a good player, but calling him "world class" is stretching it.
  • But four in a row was stretching it too far.
  • A woman was stretched lazily along it.
  • But now with several hundred thousand more people, municipal services are stretched beyond belief.
  • Cantor was stretched out on his bed, content and tired, the telephone cradled at his neck.
  • Curtains of closely woven cotton lace were stretched across the windows, fastened so tightly they kept out both air and sun.
  • I was stretched full-length upon the bodies, my battered hand resting on the rim of the tub.
  • In the first phrase, for example, the normal eight bars are stretched to nine.
  • In the process, however, nerves and resources were stretched almost to the breaking point.
  • Olympic ideals were stretched to the limit.
  • After all, it did not stretch to the floor but started at three feet six and went up to seven feet.
  • Breadcrumb recipes are welcome but why not stretch to bulgur, rice, millet?
  • But you always evaded this question, saying your allowance from home would not stretch to paying the extra rent.
  • I wondered that her prejudices did not stretch to itinerant Arabs.
  • Verse 13: although near enough to acquire wealth from maritime trade, Zebulun's territory did not stretch to the sea.
► stretch something ↔ out
  • A few of the passengers got off the bus to stretch their legs.
  • After so long on the train, we couldn't wait to get out and stretch our legs.
  • Do you feel like stopping here and stretching your legs?
  • After lunch, eager to stretch our legs, we simply set off walking without a map.
  • Every boy needs to stretch his legs.
  • Gene and the blond boy followed me to stretch their legs.
  • He sighed a lot, stretched his legs, cracked his knuckles.
  • I try to be comfortable; to stretch my legs and think soothing thoughts.
  • She stretched her legs from thigh to toes - and let go.
  • She stretched her legs under the table, feeling the same satisfaction that she felt when she woke that morning.
  • Sometimes Alfred allowed Ruth to leave the barge and walk beside the horse on the towpath, to stretch her legs.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • A faint scar ran the length of his left cheek.
  • I always enjoyed walking the full length of the street to check how the other shops were faring.
  • I would have to walk the length of the shed to reach him.
  • Next door, the living room is large and beautifully proportioned, running the length of the house.
  • The loft ran the length of the house from front to back, and it was lit by two unshaded forty-watt bulbs.
  • Then Red runs the length of the court, grabs a pass, drives to the basket and sinks one.
1make something bigger/looser a)[intransitive, transitive] to make something bigger or looser by pulling it, or to become bigger or looser as a result of being pulled:  A spider’s web can stretch considerably without weakening. Where can I buy those things that stretch your shoes? b)[intransitive not in progressive] if a material stretches, it can become bigger or longer when you pull it and then return to its original shape when you stop2body [intransitive, transitive] to straighten your arms, legs, or body to full length:  Carl sat up in bed, yawned, and stretched. Always stretch before exercising.3reach [intransitive always +adverb/preposition] to reach a long way for somethingstretch across/over Ann stretched across the couch and grabbed the phone.4make something tight [transitive] to pull something so that it is tight:  The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame.5time/series [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to continue over a period of time or in a series, or to make something do thisstretch into/on/over etc Berg’s career as a government official stretched over 20 years. With a goal in the second half, Spurs stretched their lead to 3–0.6in space [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to spread out or cover a large area of landstretch to/into/away etc Row after row of orange trees stretched to the horizon. a line stretching around the block7stretch your legs informal to go for a walk, especially after sitting for a long time8stretch (somebody’s) patience/credulity to be almost beyond the limits of what someone can accept or believe:  The kids stretch my patience to the limit.9rule/limit [transitive] British English to allow something that would not normally be allowed by a rule or limit:  This once, I’ll stretch the rules and let you leave work early. We’ll stretch a point (=allow a rule to be broken) and let the baby travel free this time. → stretch the rules at rule1(1)10stretch the truth/facts to say or write something that is not completely true:  Reporters sometimes stretch the facts to make a point.11be stretching it informal to make something seem more important, bigger etc than it really is:  He’s a good player, but ‘world-class’ is stretching it.12food/money [intransitive, transitive] if you make an amount of money, food etc stretch or it stretches, you use less of it than you usually would so that you have it for a longer time:  I’m going to have to stretch this $20 until payday.13be stretched (to the limit) to have hardly enough money, supplies, time etc for your needs:  We’re stretched at the moment, otherwise we’d go.14not stretch to something British English if someone’s money will not stretch to something, they cannot afford it:  The budget won’t stretch to a new car this year.15abilities [transitive] to make someone use all of their skill, abilities, or intelligence:  The work’s too easy. The students aren’t being stretched enough.stretch out phrasal verb1informal to lie down, usually in order to sleep or rest:  I’m just going to stretch out on the couch for ten minutes.2stretch something ↔ out to put out your hand, foot etc in order to reach something:  Jimmy stretched out his hand to take the candy.
stretch1 verbstretch2 nounstretch3 adjective
stretchstretch2 ●○○ noun Entry menu
MENU FOR stretchstretch1 length of land/water2 time3 body4 by any stretch (of the imagination)5 the home/final stretch6 material7 at full stretch8 jail
Examples
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
  • a seven-year stretch
  • an empty stretch of highway
  • During their worst stretch of 1996, the Padres lost 19 of their 23 games.
  • He spent several brief stretches in jail for minor offences.
  • I do my stretches the minute I get out of bed.
  • Sometimes between battles, there were long stretches of time when nothing happened.
  • The stretch of coastline between Barcelona and the French border is called the Costa Brava.
  • This is the last game in a four-day stretch here at the Forum.
  • Washing in hot water can make the fabric lose its stretch.
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • At 650 acres Draycote Water is the biggest stretch of water in the south Midlands and offers a wide range of activities.
  • Each slow curve of the waterway showed another glittering stretch with no end, however.
  • He entertained himself for long stretches with trucks and cars, mumbling to himself as he crashed them together.
  • She looked round and saw this woman also had stretch marks on her stomach.
  • Some of the Acutes hide grins, and McMurphy takes a huge stretch, yawns, winks at Harding.
  • This stretch of road is oyster country and there are several spots in Marshall and Tomales to purchase the mollusks.
Thesaurus
Longman Language Activatora large area of land
a large continuous area of land, water, or sky: expanse of: · We traveled across a broad expanse of desert.vast expanse (=extremely large area): · the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean
an area of land or water, especially one that is long and narrow: stretch of : · an empty stretch of highway· The stretch of coastline between Barcelona and the French border is called the Costa Brava.
a very large area of land of a particular type, for example, an area of forest or farming country: vast/huge/large tracts of something: · Vast tracts of Brazilian rain forest continue to be cut down every year.· There are large tracts of vacant land near the river, which could be used for farming.
continuing for a long time
continuing for a long time without stopping: · Although we nearly always need extra drivers, we cannot guarantee continuous employment.· CNN provided continuous coverage of the trial.· The campsites have had three decades of continuous use.
continuous and seeming to be there all the time: · He suffered constant pain in the months before his death.· A newborn baby needs constant care and attention.· The refugees lived in constant fear of being attacked.
something good or pleasant such as peace or sleep that is uninterrupted continues for a long time with no interruptions: · On average, two-year-old children need ten to twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep a night.· Banks need uninterrupted, 24-hour computer systems.
an on-going activity, situation, or piece of work is not intended to end at a definite time, but will continue into the future: · The police refused to comment on the on-going investigation.· We have a major on-going research programme into North Sea pollution.
continuing without stopping: · She's been driving non-stop for hours.· Make sure he does some homework -- he'll watch TV non-stop if you let him.
without stopping for a rest: · Victor talked for forty minutes without a break.· On average, the human mind cannot concentrate on spoken information for more than six minutes without a break.
if something unpleasant or unusual continues for hours, days, miles etc on end , it continues for that time, distance without stopping: · The rain had been falling for days on end.· In Siberia the temperature can stay more than twenty below freezing for months on end.
if someone works or does something for ten hours, three days etc at a stretch , they do it for that time without stopping, although this may be difficult or unusual: · A lion can lie on the same spot, without moving, for twelve hours at a stretch.· Doctors who are forced to work 36 hours at a stretch cannot possibly be fully efficient.
if you do something for two solid hours, three solid weeks etc you do it continuously for that period with no breaks at all: · After eight solid hours of driving, I was exhausted.· Nobody really wants to sit through four solid hours of someone else's wedding video.
every day, every week etc for a long time: · The fighting went on week after week and there seemed no end to it.· She sits at home day after day, waiting for a message from her husband.
if something happens day in, day out , it happens every day and is always the same, with the result that it becomes very boring: · Working in a factory involves the same routine day in, day out.· He wears an old brown jacket day in, day out.
when something cannot happen, exist, or be true
use this to say that you are sure that something cannot happen, exist, or be true: · "Did you know that I can hold my breath for three minutes?" "Impossible!"· "The police suspect John.'' "But that's impossible. He was with us the whole day.''it is impossible (that): · It was impossible that anyone could have survived the crash.
impossible use this especially when you are very surprised about something: · "Abigail won't give us the money," said Jim. "But that's not possible," replied Ben, "she told me only this morning that she would.''it is not possible that: · It's not possible that Kate was at the party too. I would have seen her.
use this to say that it is not possible for something to have happened or for someone to have done something: · They can't have gone out because all the windows are open.· What you're saying can't possibly be true. I don't believe it.· New evidence proved that the accused couldn't have been at the scene of the crime.
spoken say this when you strongly believe that something is impossible: there's no way (that): · There's no way we can possibly get the bed up those stairs.· If the computer system is working properly, there's no way that it could make a mistake.
impossible or very difficult to imagine: · When I was a boy, having a bath every day was an inconceivable luxury.· The slaughter thousands of innocent US citizens would have been inconceivable until recently.it is inconceivable that: · Many people thought it was inconceivable that the crash could have been an accident.
if something is unthinkable , it seems impossible because it is so shocking, nasty, difficult etc: · The amount of sex on television that we see today would have been unthinkable in previous decades.it is unthinkable that: · It is unthinkable that anyone would dare to enter the Control Area without permission.unthinkable for somebody to do something: · In those days it was unthinkable for a lady to work outside the home.
if something is not possible by any or by no stretch of the imagination, you cannot even imagine it being possible: · The new software program is not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination.· By no stretch of the imagination could Carl ever be called good-looking.
a period of time
especially written a particular length of time with a beginning and an end: period of: · These accounts are drawn up for a period of 52 weeks.· After a brief period of independence, Belorussia came under Soviet rule.for a period: · You shouldn't sit in front of a computer screen for long periods without a break.· Anne had difficulty holding down a job for any period of time.period of time: · The work had to be completed within a limited period of time.long/short period: · The company expects a growth in profitability over a longer period.· Then, within a short period, his mother, father, and brother all died.a ten-day/three-year etc period: · The money can be paid back over a five-year period.· The researchers observed mothers and their new infants for a three-day period.over a period: · The restoration of the ceiling was completed over a period of two years.during a period: · During this period, Tanya was making very little money.· black immigration into Britain during the post-war period
a period of time - use this especially to talk about a period in the past, or when you are not saying whether the period was long or short: · Bill had lost his job, and it was a difficult time for him.· I really enjoyed my time at university.at one time (=at a period of time in the past, but not now): · At one time, Hakami was ranked 32nd in the world.· Martin had been at one time a student at Leiden University in the Netherlands.for the time being (=for a short period of time, starting now): · You can stay in the spare room for the time being, until you find a place.· Entrance fees to the exhibit have been reduced for the time being.during that/this time: · He played for Barcelona for four years, and during that time they won two major competitions.for a time: · He chatted to us for a time, then left.· For a time, the 1,600 seater hall was home to a Saturday night film show, before being converted to a night club.after a time: · After a time, I began to feel more relaxed.· All systems settle down after a time.
a length of time that is officially fixed for someone's period of responsibility or power, for someone's period in prison, or for a business contract: · Mr Toplak had just started his term as vice-president of the company.· The Socialists are hoping to secure another term in government.· The bank says that they can extend the term of our mortgage.first/second etc term: · General Herrera was elected to a third term of office as President.· He hopes to visit China during his second term in office.7-year/2-month etc term: · He recently completed a two-year term as chairman.term of imprisonment (=formal): · Political dissidents are sentenced to long terms of imprisonment.prison/jail term: · She had her jail term cut for good behaviour.term of/in office (=term for holding an official position): · He is halfway into his term of office.· The Democrats are hoping to deny him a third term in office.fixed term (=when the term of a business or employment contract is set to a particular length): · The managers were all hired for a fixed term.serve a term: · Malik is now serving a three-year term in prison.· Elected members of the House of Assembly serve a six-year term.
a period of several weeks or months, at the same time every year, during which a particular activity takes place: · The Bulls would consider re-signing him next season.the 2001/2001-02 etc season: · Smith should own the record outright by the third or fourth game of the 2001 season.breeding/hunting/fishing/baseball etc season: · When does the baseball season start?· Foxes become very noisy at the height of the mating season.· The latest challenge is to promote the LSO's winter concert season.
a period of time between other periods, especially one during which there is not much activity or no interruptions: · During their worst stretch of 1996, the Padres lost 19 of their 23 games.· He spent several brief stretches in jail for minor offences.· This is the last game in a four-day stretch here at the Forum.stretch of time: · Sometimes between battles, there were long stretches of time when nothing happened.
informal a period of time doing a particular job or course, often quite a short period: · After a stint in the army, Bill worked in sales.· Krem began his career with the Victoria Symphony, followed by stints with orchestras in Winnipeg and Quebec.stint of: · Dimascio was promoted after serving a stint of five years as a sergeant pilot.a five-year/six-day etc stint: · He has changed his schedule to a three-day stint, which starts Friday.short/brief stint: · Rick was fired in August after a brief stint with a Portland courier service.do/serve a stint: · She served a two-year stint as an aide to Congressman Jim McNulty.· We should thank Mary for the long stint she's done as party treasurer.
a period of a particular type of activity, weather etc, usually a short period: · After a brief spell in the army, I returned to teaching.spell of: · He's had a spell of bad luck recently.a cold/wet/dry etc spell: · We had another cold spell last week.
British a short period of trouble, difficulty, or unhappiness, experienced by someone who is usually happy, successful etc: go through a bad patch (=experience a period of trouble etc): · He went through a bad patch after his wife died, but now he seems to be back to normal.hit a bad patch (=start to experience a period of trouble etc): · The team aren't doing so well at the moment are they? They seem to have hit a bad patch.
WORD SETS
borstal, nouncell, nounchain, nounchain gang, nounconcentration camp, nounconcurrent, adjectiveconfinement, nounconvict, nouncorrectional, adjectivecustodial sentence, nouncustody, noundeath row, noundetainee, noundetention, noundetention centre, noundrunk tank, noundungeon, nounfetter, verbfetters, noungaol, gaoler, noungovernor, nounguard, verbgulag, nounhandcuff, verbhandcuffs, nounincarcerate, verbinmate, nouninside, adverbintern, verbinternee, nouninternment, nounjailbreak, nounlabour camp, nounlifer, nounmanacle, nounold lag, nounopen prison, nounoubliette, nounparole, nounparole, verbpen, nounpenal, adjectivepenitentiary, nounpillory, nounpokey, nounpolitical prisoner, nounporridge, nounpreventive detention, nounprison, nounprison camp, nounprisoner, nounprisoner of conscience, nounprisoner of war, nounprison visitor, nounreformatory, nounremand home, nounremission, nounserve, verbshackle, nounshackle, verbsolitary, nounsolitary confinement, nounstretch, nounthumbscrew, nounwarden, nounwarder, nounyardbird, noun
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
 She doesn’t leave the house for long stretches of time.
 She rarely sleeps for eight hours at a stretch (=without stopping).
 As they enter the home stretch of the campaign, the president’s lead has grown.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· I dreamt I saw my mother again with her arms stretched out towards me.
(=a long area of coast)· The 13th century chapel lies on a spectacular stretch of coast.
 a beautiful stretch of coastline
(=seem very difficult to believe) It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet.
(=a very large area of desert)· In front of us was nothing but a vast expanse of desert.
(=make the lead bigger)· The Australian rugby team extended its lead with a try from Stirling Mortlock.
(=a mark on your skin caused by stretching)· Most women get stretch marks when they have a baby.
· This stretch of motorway is always very busy.
· It’s a good idea to stretch your muscles after weight lifting.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.
· The queue stretched the full length of the building.
(=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed)· They bend the rules to suit themselves.
(=open them completely)· The cage was so small the birds could not even stretch their wings.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· The debate is a milestone signalling the final stretch in the campaign leading to the caucuses.· The van laboured its way up the final stretch of the brae, its engine protesting at the strain.· As the debate moves into the final stretch, Britain is not without its bargaining cards either.
· Ahead, her father was riding alongside the hounds, at full stretch.· I was already at full stretch.· Even so, their defence was at full stretch with the pace and movement of Saha and Hayles.· Last night, emergency services were still at full stretch and a full picture of the disaster had not yet emerged.· Jim Magilton, who has our vote as man of the match, had the champions at full stretch.· All the services for mental health seemed to be at full stretch already, he said.· Slowly lower your heels to the floor, gaining full stretch.· Then she swiped me right across the nose, claws at full stretch.
· In written language rhetorical organisers of larger stretches of discourse appear, like firstly, more important than and in conclusion.· So beyond drilling simple sentences, it is necessary to drill larger stretches of speech. 7.2.5.· Despite the size of the river, returning this water will inevitably kill life over large stretches.
· Not a wet, cold, grey and grizzly day on a lonely and deserted stretch of coast at Birkenhead.· The lonely, two-mile stretch was not unsuited to ambush.· Despite cutting back the undergrowth to keep routes open, footpads and other outlaws haunted most lonely stretches of road.· Do you have to cross lonely stretches of ground between your home and the bus stop or railway station?· This time a thirty-year-old schoolteacher cycling home to Hunstanton who had a puncture on a lonely stretch of road.
· Lydia was resigning herself to a long stretch of celibacy.· We seemed to drift into tranquility once we reached the long plateau stretch on the high road to Taos.· For long stretches there is almost no vegetation, just rocky fields divided by the winding asphalt.· She was last seen alive early that evening on a long stretch of deserted road outside Aurora.· This grouping worked quite efficiently, and a long stretch of fence was built on Donald's first day.· He entertained himself for long stretches with trucks and cars, mumbling to himself as he crashed them together.· He says it's a long stretch of road and you need at least two service areas.· Players work long stretches gathering clues without a villain in sight.
· Across from the bay, beyond a narrow stretch of water, was a small island, an islet, rather.
· Quiet and observant walkers may see red deer along this particular stretch.· The particular stretch of road we want to follow is smack dab in the middle of four topographical maps.· His Honour Mark Dyer said the fish farm was well aware that that particular stretch of river was reserved for brown trout.
· This divides the vista into short stretches, an important element in persuading drivers to slow down.· He was accompanied for short stretches of his route by National Trust wardens.· Suddenly, a car appeared at the end of the short stretch of road beyond his men.· This required 18 traverses, short stretches of road linked by sharp bends, with beyond it a ravine.· On Sheet 145 there is a short stretch of lane so described immediately south of Banbury.· I charged over rocks and taking a run at sand, found that the wheel would skate for short stretches.
· They were capable of a good turn of speed on the straight stretch between South Croydon and Purley.· He ran his heart out, down the glistening straight stretch of Palm Avenue.· Is there any need to signal along such a nice straight stretch of track? 33.
· The vast stretch, the pace of time.· The argument raged over vast stretches of territory, or rather over a series of labels that stood for territory.
· The guides were planning to do the whole stretch and include us novices on the easier sections.· This whole stretch has had lots of men coming.· Critics say it should apply along the whole stretch.· In fact this whole stretch of low-lying coastline, one of the most environmentally important in Britain, would be at risk.· Two club contests at Boveton Beach produced nothing and just a few codling from the whole stretch of beach.· The second area to turn attention to after the objective, is this whole area of stretch.· However long she had been there, the whole stretch was a dingy aching trail of work and beatings.
· There were now four people on the long wide stretch of strand.· The room became a beach, a wide stretch, and the tide was turning on it, going out.· From it you see the wide stretch of beach used in the opening scene of Chariots of Fire.
NOUN
· I was tired on the home stretch, but the crowd was wonderful.· Clinton also had two personal strikes against him as he went into the home stretch toward the July Democratic convention.
VERB
· Foreign language learners need to enter into long stretches of communication, in real and complex situations.· Shortly thereafter we enter a stretch of shallow pools and channels cut into the rock by a millennium of erosion.
· It is important to hold the stretches for two minutes in a position of mild tension, not pain.· Gently stretch forwards for 25 counts, holding each stretch for 1 second.· Any further hold up to the Spittalburn stretch will cost the taxpayer a six-figure sum for each week's delay.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
  • Ahead, her father was riding alongside the hounds, at full stretch.
  • All the services for mental health seemed to be at full stretch already, he said.
  • Even so, their defence was at full stretch with the pace and movement of Saha and Hayles.
  • I was already at full stretch.
  • Jim Magilton, who has our vote as man of the match, had the champions at full stretch.
  • Last night, emergency services were still at full stretch and a full picture of the disaster had not yet emerged.
  • The men of Plataia were helping Athens, whose manpower was at full stretch, to man her great fleet.
  • Then she swiped me right across the nose, claws at full stretch.
  • Raising children isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination.
  • All good things but not wildly expensive, not by any stretch of the imagination.
  • I am very puzzled as to how either of these two items can be cash flows by any stretch of the imagination.
  • It could not by any stretch of the imagination be anything else.
  • Management is typically the reason people walk out, but it is not 100 percent by any stretch of the imagination.
  • Not that Tiptoe could be called a child, by any stretch of the imagination.
  • That is not ` good news' by any stretch of the imagination!
  • The program isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination.
  • As the debate moves into the final stretch, Britain is not without its bargaining cards either.
  • Clinton also had two personal strikes against him as he went into the home stretch toward the July Democratic convention.
  • I was tired on the home stretch, but the crowd was wonderful.
  • The debate is a milestone signalling the final stretch in the campaign leading to the caucuses.
  • The van laboured its way up the final stretch of the brae, its engine protesting at the strain.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • A faint scar ran the length of his left cheek.
  • I always enjoyed walking the full length of the street to check how the other shops were faring.
  • I would have to walk the length of the shed to reach him.
  • Next door, the living room is large and beautifully proportioned, running the length of the house.
  • The loft ran the length of the house from front to back, and it was lit by two unshaded forty-watt bulbs.
  • Then Red runs the length of the court, grabs a pass, drives to the basket and sinks one.
1length of land/water [countable] an area of land or water, especially one that is long and narrowstretch of a beautiful stretch of countryside2time [countable] a continuous period of timestretch of a stretch of three weeks without sunshine She doesn’t leave the house for long stretches of time. She rarely sleeps for eight hours at a stretch (=without stopping).3body [countable] the action of stretching a part of your body out to its full length, or a particular way of doing this:  The ski instructor showed us some special stretches.4by any stretch (of the imagination) spoken used to emphasize that a negative statement is true:  My family wasn’t wealthy by any stretch of the imagination.5the home/final stretch a)the last part of a track before the end of a race b)the last part of an activity, trip, or process:  As they enter the home stretch of the campaign, the president’s lead has grown.6material [uncountable] the ability a material has to increase in length or width without tearing → stretchy7at full stretch British English a)using everything that is available:  With staff shortages and appalling weather conditions, the emergency services were at full stretch. b)with your body or part of your body stretched as far as possible:  He dived and caught the ball at full stretch.8jail [countable usually singular] informal a period of time spent in prison
stretch1 verbstretch2 nounstretch3 adjective
stretchstretch3 adjective [only before noun] Examples
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
  • Not boring white or dark blue broadcloth, but in an explosion of colors and fabrics, from stretch denim to corduroy.
  • Scuba-tight stretch pants, uncomfortable and a little too revealing, are out.
Collocations
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
· I dreamt I saw my mother again with her arms stretched out towards me.
(=a long area of coast)· The 13th century chapel lies on a spectacular stretch of coast.
 a beautiful stretch of coastline
(=seem very difficult to believe) It strained credulity to believe that a nuclear war would not lead to the destruction of the planet.
(=a very large area of desert)· In front of us was nothing but a vast expanse of desert.
(=make the lead bigger)· The Australian rugby team extended its lead with a try from Stirling Mortlock.
(=a mark on your skin caused by stretching)· Most women get stretch marks when they have a baby.
· This stretch of motorway is always very busy.
· It’s a good idea to stretch your muscles after weight lifting.
(=they feel very nervous or worried)· Her nerves were stretched almost to breaking point as she waited.
· The queue stretched the full length of the building.
(=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed)· They bend the rules to suit themselves.
(=open them completely)· The cage was so small the birds could not even stretch their wings.
Phrases
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
  • A faint scar ran the length of his left cheek.
  • I always enjoyed walking the full length of the street to check how the other shops were faring.
  • I would have to walk the length of the shed to reach him.
  • Next door, the living room is large and beautifully proportioned, running the length of the house.
  • The loft ran the length of the house from front to back, and it was lit by two unshaded forty-watt bulbs.
  • Then Red runs the length of the court, grabs a pass, drives to the basket and sinks one.
 stretch clothes or material stretch if you pull them, and then return to their original shape:  stretch Levis
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更新时间：2025/1/11 6:44:54