by no stretch of the imagination


by no stretch of the imagination

Unable to happen within, at, or beyond the limits of the imagination; in no possible situation or from no conceivable perspective. By no stretch of the imagination do I think our team has a chance of winning tonight. Tommy does all right in school, but by no stretch of the imagination would I call him a genius.See also: by, imagination, no, of, stretch

by no (or not by any) stretch of the imagination

used to emphasize that something is definitely not the case. 1996 New Statesman Though it is by no stretch of the imagination a political paper, its owner has a reputation as an outspoken critic of China. See also: by, imagination, no, of, stretch

by ˈno stretch of the imagination

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not by ˈany stretch of the imagination

it is completely impossible to say; by no means: By no stretch of the imagination could you call him clever. ♢ You couldn’t say that factory was beautiful, not by any stretch of the imagination!See also: by, imagination, no, of, stretch