to draw out or extend or be drawn out or extended in length, area, etc
to extend or be extended to an undue degree, esp so as to distort or lengthen permanently
to extend (the limbs, body, etc)
(tr)
to reach or suspend (a rope, etc) from one place to another
(tr)
to draw tight; tighten
(often foll by out, forward, etc)
to reach or hold (out); extend
(intr usually foll by over)
to extend in time
the course stretched over three months
(intr; foll by for, over, etc)
(of a region, etc) to extend in length or area
(intr)
(esp of a garment) to be capable of expanding, as to a larger size
socks that will stretch
(tr)
to put a great strain upon or extend to the limit
to injure (a muscle, tendon, ligament, etc) by means of a strain or sprain
(tr often foll by out)
to make do with (limited resources)
to stretch one's budget
(tr) informal
to expand or elaborate (a story, etc) beyond what is credible or acceptable
that's stretching it a bit
(tr; often passive)
to extend, as to the limit of one's abilities or talents
archaic, or slang
to hang or be hanged by the neck
stretch a point
- to make a concession or exception not usually made
- to exaggerate
stretch one's legs
to take a walk, esp after a period of inactivity
