stretch
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++stretch1 /stretʃ/ ●●● S3 W3 verb 1 make STH bigger/looser 使某物更大/更松 a) [intransitive, transitive]LOOSEBIG to make something bigger or looser by pulling it, or to become bigger or looser as a result of being pulled （使）变大；（使）变松；拉长 A spider’s web can stretch considerably without weakening. 蜘蛛网能拉得相当长而韧性不减。 Where can I buy those things that stretch your shoes? 在哪儿能买到把鞋撑大的东西？ b) [intransitive not in progressive]BIGLONG if a material stretches, it can become bigger or longer when you pull it and then return to its original shape when you stop 可伸展，可延伸，有弹性2 body 身体 [intransitive, transitive]HBH to straighten your arms, legs, or body to full length 伸开，伸展〔肢体〕 Carl sat up in bed, yawned, and stretched. 卡尔从床上坐起来，打了个呵欠，伸了伸懒 腰。 Always stretch before exercising. 锻炼之前都要做伸展运动。 →5 see picture at 见图 gym3 reach 伸出 [intransitive always +adv/preposition] to reach a long way for something 伸出，伸长（胳膊、腿）stretch across/over Ann stretched across the couch and grabbed the phone. 安向长沙发那头探过身，抓起电话。4 make STH tight 使某物变紧 [transitive]TIGHT to pull something so that it is tight 拉紧，拽紧 The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame. 画布紧绷在木框上。5 time/series 时间/系列 [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition]CONTINUE/NOT STOP to continue over a period of time or in a series, or to make something do this （使）延续，（使）延伸stretch into/on/over etc Berg’s career as a government official stretched over 20 years. 伯格的政府官员生涯延续了二十多年。 With a goal in the second half, Spurs stretched their lead to 3–0. 下半场进了一球后，热刺队把领先的优势扩大到三比零。6 in space 在空间上 [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]DISTANCE to spread out or cover a large area of land 延伸，绵延stretch to/into/away etc Row after row of orange trees stretched to the horizon. 一排又一排的橙树一直绵延到地平线。 a line stretching around the block 排起来绕过街区的一列队伍7. stretch your legs informalWALK to go for a walk, especially after sitting for a long time 〔久坐之后〕散散步；伸伸腿8 stretch (somebody’s) patience/credulity BELIEVE#ACCEPT#to be almost beyond the limits of what someone can accept or believe 使某人难以忍受/相信 The kids stretch my patience to the limit. 孩子们把我的耐心耗尽了。9 rule/limit 规则/限制 [transitive] British EnglishLET/ALLOW to allow something that would not normally be allowed by a rule or limit 放宽〔规则或限制〕 This once, I’ll stretch the rules and let you leave work early. 就这一次我破例让你早点下班。 We’ll stretch a point (=allow a rule to be broken) and let the baby travel free this time. 我们这次破例让这个婴儿免费乘坐。 → stretch the rules at rule1(1)10 stretch the truth/facts EXAGGERATEto say or write something that is not completely true 夸大事实，言过其实 Reporters sometimes stretch the facts to make a point. 记者为了说明问题，有时会夸大事实。11 be stretching it informal to make something seem more important, bigger etc than it really is 夸大事实，言过其实 He’s a good player, but ‘world-class’ is stretching it. 他是一位优秀的选手，但要说是“世界级的”就有点夸张了。12 food/money 食物/钱 [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 省着用〔有限的钱或物〕以延长使用时间 I’m going to have to stretch this $20 until payday. 我得省着点用，让这 20 美元用到发工资那天。13 be stretched (to the limit) ENOUGH#to have hardly enough money, supplies, time etc for your needs 手头拮据；供应紧张；时间不足 We’re stretched at the moment, otherwise we’d go. 我们目前手头紧，否则会去的。14 not stretch to something British EnglishENOUGH# if someone’s money will not stretch to something, they cannot afford it 〔钱〕不够买某物，不够支付某物的费用15 abilities 能力 [transitive]EASY to make someone use all of their skill, abilities, or intelligence 使〔某人〕施展才华，使充分发挥能力16 stretch out phrasal verb → See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
stretch• He stretched a large tarpaulin over the vehicle, tying it down at the corners.• Now there, I'd stretch a point.• Fish cakes of all kinds are a terrific way to use up leftovers or stretch a quantity of protein.• The oil slick stretched all the way to the horizon.• Uncle John pulled hard on the bell-rope, which stretched and then broke.• There were poppy fields stretching as far as the eye could see.• elasticated straps designed to stretch easily• I was disappointed with the course -- I didn't feel I was being stretched enough.• Today, just 5% remains of the original wooded land that stretched from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.• This fabric will stretch if you wash it in hot water.• Norma picked up a stocking, stretched it and then pulled it onto her foot.• Careful, don't stretch it, it'll snap!• Sometimes we have to stretch one day's food into two.• Threads are then stretched or loosened by the weaver moving her body back and forth.• It would stretch round the equator 97 times or reach to the moon and back five times.• The elastic stretches so that the shoe can be slipped on and off.• Campers stretched string between posts to mark off their sites.• The exercises are designed to stretch the abilities of even the most advanced students.• Stretch the canvas so that it covers the whole frame.• The game is a lot of fun, and it really stretches the kids.• Seth stretched the phone cord around the corner so that he could speak in private.• "Can I borrow your boots?" "No, you'll stretch them."• Lycra shorts will stretch to fit you perfectly.• I think this sweater must have stretched when I washed it.stretch across/over• If this loyalty is stretched over a period of 28 years, it is certainly worthy of note!• You all saw that to begin with the tape measure stretched across from one side to the other, exactly.• Long-distance runner Bill Emmerton once saw himself in the chain of life stretching over many generations.• That amount would be stretched over more than 25 years.• In a process which stretched over several weeks they exchanged ideas.• They stretched across the Peninsula from Newport News to Hampton.• A yellow tape is stretched across the road and Lisa hits it, finishing in 37 hours and 1 minute.stretch into/on/over etc• Long-distance runner Bill Emmerton once saw himself in the chain of life stretching over many generations.• So does Tony Gwynn, who knows what it will be like should his pursuit of. 400 somehow stretch into September.• It was a rough job, but somehow it didn't look that different with the skin stretched over straw instead of ribs.• Imagine a single golf tournament stretched over that time.• Joan and Jack enjoy meeting their guests and many breakfasts stretch into the mid-morning as new friendships are made.• As the wrangling has stretched into the new year, Clinton has moved up some in public esteem.• The lights of an aircraft were stretched on timbers, but no seaplane - and I did not hit one.• It was from these vines, which stretched into Verzenay, Mailly and Verzy, that the wines of Sillery were made.stretch to/into/away etc• Except, of course, for the lone and level sands of the wrecked economy, which stretch away in all directions.• The castle-like stretch to interior sky twinkling with crystal lights.• She stretched to manipulate the hot tap with her toe.• To his left three guards had taken the strain on a rope that ran tight and stretched to the building.• Classes are carefully time-tabled throughout the day, and occasionally stretch into the evenings.• Concrete runways stretched to the horizon.• It was from these vines, which stretched into Verzenay, Mailly and Verzy, that the wines of Sillery were made.stretch a point• Now there, I'd stretch a point.• We have stretched points, legitimately and logically we trust, in other areas of the structure.• But we are stretching a point, you might argue.stretch2 ●○○ noun 1 length of land/water 一片地域/水域 [countable]AREA an area of land or water, especially one that is long and narrow 〔尤指狭长的〕一片地域，一片水域2 time 时间 [countable]CONTINUOUS a continuous period of time 连续的一段时间3 body 身体 [countable]HBH the action of stretching a part of your body out to its full length, or a particular way of doing this 〔肢体的〕伸展，伸开，张开；伸展动作4 by any stretch (of the imagination) IMPOSSIBLE spoken used to emphasize that a negative statement is true 无论怎样想象都（不），再怎么说也（不）〔用于强调某个否定说法是真的〕5 the home/final stretch 6. material 材料 [uncountable]TIMLONGBIG the ability a material has to increase in length or width without tearing 伸展性，弹性 → stretchy7 at full stretch British English8. jail 监狱 [countable usually singular] informalSCJPERIOD OF TIME a period of time spent in prison 服刑期，徒刑Examples from the Corpus
stretch• At 650 acres Draycote Water is the biggest stretch of water in the south Midlands and offers a wide range of activities.• He spent several brief stretches in jail for minor offences.• This is the last game in a four-day stretch here at the Forum.• an empty stretch of highway• Each slow curve of the waterway showed another glittering stretch with no end, however.• 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.• Washing in hot water can make the fabric lose its stretch.• He entertained himself for long stretches with trucks and cars, mumbling to himself as he crashed them together.• Sometimes between battles, there were long stretches of time when nothing happened.• I do my stretches the minute I get out of bed.• The stretch of coastline between Barcelona and the French border is called the Costa Brava.• This stretch of road is oyster country and there are several spots in Marshall and Tomales to purchase the mollusks.• During their worst stretch of 1996, the Padres lost 19 of their 23 games.• a seven-year stretchstretch of• a stretch of three weeks without sunshine• an empty stretch of highwaylong stretches of time• It was useful, he dis-covered, to cultivate a reserved demeanor, to stay silent for long stretches of time.stretch3 adjective [only before noun] 1 stretch clothes or material stretch if you pull them, and then return to their original shape 弹性的，可拉伸的 stretch Levis 李维斯弹性牛仔裤Examples from the Corpus
stretch• 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.From Longman Business Dictionarystretchstretch /stretʃ/ verb1[transitive]FINANCE if something stretches an amount of money or a supply of something, it uses it up so you have hardly enough for your needsOur finances are stretched to the limit.2[intransitive, transitive]FINANCE to make an amount of money last longer than usual by being careful how it is spent and not wasting itAll departments are having to stretch their budgets.3[intransitive, transitive]MARKETING if a company stretches a brand, it starts to use an existing brand name on a different type of product, hoping that people will buy it because they recognize the nameFollowing Coca-Cola’s decision to market clothes, people asked how far a brand can be stretched.→ See Verb tableOrigin stretch1 Old English streccan Corpus by make looser to something Business bigger or
stretch
stretch1 S3 W3 /stretʃ/ 
verb
a. [intransitive and 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 stop
2. BODY [intransitive and transitive] to straighten your arms, legs, or body to full length:
Carl sat up in bed, yawned, and stretched.
Always stretch before exercising.
3. REACH [intransitive always +adverb/preposition] to reach a long way for something
stretch across/over
Ann stretched across the couch and grabbed the phone.
4. MAKE SOMETHING TIGHT [transitive] to pull something so that it is tight:
The canvas is stretched over a wooden frame.
5. TIME/SERIES [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to continue over a period of time or in a series, or to make something do this
stretch 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.
6. IN SPACE [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to spread out or cover a large area of land
stretch to/into/away etc
Row after row of orange trees stretched to the horizon.
a line stretching around the block
7. stretch your legs informal to go for a walk, especially after sitting for a long time
8. stretch (sb’s) patience/credulity to be almost beyond the limits of what someone can accept or believe:
The kids stretch my patience to the limit.
9. RULE/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)
10. stretch the truth/facts to say or write something that is not completely true:
Reporters sometimes stretch the facts to make a point.
11. be 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.
12. FOOD/MONEY [intransitive and 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.
13. be 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.
14. not 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.
15. ABILITIES [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 verb
1. informal to lie down, usually in order to sleep or rest:
I’m just going to stretch out on the couch for ten minutes.
2. stretch something ↔ out to put out your hand, foot etc in order to reach something:
Jimmy stretched out his hand to take the candy.
▪ exercise to walk, do sports etc in order to stay healthy and become stronger: To lose weight, exercise regularly and eat less.
▪do some exercise/a lot of exercise etc 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.
▪stay/keep/get in shape 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.
▪keep fit British English to exercise regularly in order to stay healthy and strong: The class encourages older people to keep fit.
▪work out 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.
▪tone up (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.
▪warm up to do gentle exercises to prepare your body for more active exercise: It’s important to warm up before you begin to play.
▪stretch 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.
▪limber up (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.
▪train especially British English to prepare for a sporting event by exercising in a particular way: She’s training to do the London Marathon.
▪practise 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.
stretch2 noun
1. LENGTH OF LAND/WATER [countable] an area of land or water, especially one that is long and narrow
stretch of
a beautiful stretch of countryside
2. TIME [countable] a continuous period of time
stretch 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).
3. BODY [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.
4. by 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.
5. the 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.
6. MATERIAL [uncountable] the ability a material has to increase in length or width without tearing ⇨ stretchy
7. at 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.
8. JAIL [countable usually singular] informal a period of time spent in prison
stretch3 adjective [only before noun]
stretch clothes or material stretch if you pull them, and then return to their original shape:
stretch Levis
| I |
verb Language: Old English
Origin: streccan
1. MAKE SOMETHING BIGGER/LOOSER Origin: streccan
a. [intransitive and transitive] to make something bigger or looser by pulling it, or to become bigger or looser as a result of being pulled:
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 stop
2. BODY [intransitive and transitive] to straighten your arms, legs, or body to full length:
3. REACH [intransitive always +adverb/preposition] to reach a long way for something
stretch across/over
4. MAKE SOMETHING TIGHT [transitive] to pull something so that it is tight:
5. TIME/SERIES [intransitive, transitive always + adverb/preposition] to continue over a period of time or in a series, or to make something do this
stretch into/on/over etc
6. IN SPACE [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to spread out or cover a large area of land
stretch to/into/away etc
7. stretch your legs informal to go for a walk, especially after sitting for a long time
8. stretch (sb’s) patience/credulity to be almost beyond the limits of what someone can accept or believe:
9. RULE/LIMIT [transitive] British English to allow something that would not normally be allowed by a rule or limit:
10. stretch the truth/facts to say or write something that is not completely true:
11. be stretching it informal to make something seem more important, bigger etc than it really is:
12. FOOD/MONEY [intransitive and 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:
13. be stretched (to the limit) to have hardly enough money, supplies, time etc for your needs:
14. not stretch to something British English if someone’s money will not stretch to something, they cannot afford it:
15. ABILITIES [transitive] to make someone use all of their skill, abilities, or intelligence:
stretch out phrasal verb
1. informal to lie down, usually in order to sleep or rest:
2. stretch something ↔ out to put out your hand, foot etc in order to reach something:
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| II |
noun1. LENGTH OF LAND/WATER [countable] an area of land or water, especially one that is long and narrow
stretch of
2. TIME [countable] a continuous period of time
stretch of
3. BODY [countable] the action of stretching a part of your body out to its full length, or a particular way of doing this:
4. by any stretch (of the imagination) spoken used to emphasize that a negative statement is true:
5. the 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:
6. MATERIAL [uncountable] the ability a material has to increase in length or width without tearing ⇨ stretchy
7. at full stretch British English
a. using everything that is available:
b. with your body or part of your body stretched as far as possible:
8. JAIL [countable usually singular] informal a period of time spent in prison
| III |
adjective [only before noun]stretch clothes or material stretch if you pull them, and then return to their original shape:
