0 to cause something to reach, often as far as possible, in a particular direction:
2 to go as far as or past the usual limit of something:
Many families' budgets are already stretched to breaking point.
We can't work any harder, Paul. We're already fully stretched.
This movie really stretches the patience of the audience to the limit.
Normally, people under 18 aren't allowed, but I guess we can stretch the rules for you as it's your birthday tomorrow.
3 to (cause a material to) become longer or wider than usual as a result of pulling at the edges:
5 If jobs or tasks stretch you, they make you learn new things that use your skill and experience more than before:
My present job doesn't stretch me, so I'm looking for something more demanding.
Previous attempts by the pharmacy to stretch the brand into areas such as dentistry and botox have failed.
He said he wanted to stretch the brand into new areas, from selling electronic goods to operating full-service restaurants in stores.
6 a continuous area of land or water:
This particular stretch of coast is especially popular with hikers.
Traffic is at a standstill along a five-mile stretch of the ring-road.
He fell as he galloped down the home stretch (= towards the finish).
7 an act of stretching:
8 the fact that something has gone past its usual limits:
His idea may be a stretch, but it's not outside the realm of possibility.
9 the degree to which a material can be made longer or wider by pulling:
This fabric doesn't have much stretch in it, does it?
10 a continuous period of time:
11 a job, task, or role that is difficult for someone because it is very different from what they usually do:
12 to reach across a distance or become longer or wider, or to cause something to do this:
13 to go beyond, or almost beyond, the usual limit of something:
Traffic is at a standstill along a five-mile stretch of Route 17 just south of Bridgeport.
18 the act of straightening your body, your arms, or your legs so that they are as long as possible:
Before jogging, you should always do some stretches.
19 a continuous period of time:
We had a long stretch of days with sub-zero temperatures last month.
20 if money or other resources stretch to something, they are enough to buy or pay for something:
21 to make money or resources last longer than was originally planned:
22 if something stretches money or other resources, it uses nearly all the money or resources available so that there is very little left:
be stretched to breaking point/the limit The aviation infrastructure has been stretched to breaking point.
be stretched thin When people and funding are stretched thin, companies may find they're not putting enough resources behind the ideas that promise the greatest shareholder returns.
stretch a budget/finances The takeover will stretch the company's finances.
23 to use a brand that already exists to sell new and different products and services:
24 to force someone to use all their intelligence or skills:
25 used to describe something that you think will be very difficult to achieve, very expensive, etc.:
26 if you do something for 20 hours, etc. at a stretch, you do it continuously for that period of time:
I stretched out and listened to the sound of the rushing stream.
I get up and walk around every half hour just to stretch my legs.
The road stretched into the distance as far as the eye could see.
A broad sweep of flat countryside stretched to the horizon in all directions.
中文繁体
伸展, 伸出, 伸長…
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伸展, 伸出, 伸长…
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estirar(se), estirar, alargar…
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esticar, estirar, espichar…
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伸びる(伸ばす), ~を引き伸ばす, ~の柔軟体操(ストレッチ)をする…
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uzanmak, yayılmak, uzatmak…
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(s’)étirer, (se) tendre, tendre…
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estirar(-se), donar(-se), estirar…
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