stretch

Universal Words verb, noun verb make bigger / looser 1 to make sth longer, wider or looser, for example, by pulling it; to become longer, etc. in this way: [VN] Is there any way of stretching shoes? * [V] This sweater has stretched. 2 [V] (of fabric) to become bigger or longer when you pull it and return to its original shape when you stop: The jeans stretch to provide a perfect fit. pull tight 3 to pull sth so that it is smooth and tight: [VN] Stretch the fabric tightly over the frame. * [VN-ADJ] Make sure that the rope is stretched tight. your body 4 to put your arms or legs out straight and tighten your muscles: [V] He stretched and yawned lazily. * [VN] The exercises are designed to stretch and tone your leg muscles. reach with arm 5 [+adv./prep.] to put out an arm or a leg in order to reach sth: [V] She stretched across the table for the butter. * [VN] I stretched out a hand and picked up the book. over area 6 [V+adv./prep.] to spread over an area of land: Fields and hills stretched out as far as we could see. * Beyond the mountains stretches a vast desert. over time 7 [V+adv./prep.] to continue over a period of time: The town's history stretches back to before 1500. * The training stretches over a period of 16 months. * Endless summer days stretched out before us. * The talks look set to stretch into a second week. money / supplies 8 [V] ~ (to sth) (used in negative sentences and questions about an amount of money) to be enough to buy or pay for sth: I need a new car, but my savings won't stretch to it. * There are lots of things I'd like to buy, but our budget just won't stretch that far. 9 [VN] to make use of all your money, supplies, etc: The influx of refugees has stretched the country's resources to the limit. sb's skill / intelligence 10 [VN] to make use of all sb's skill, intelligence, etc: I need a job that will stretch me. * She was never really stretched at school. * We can't take on any more work-we're fully stretched as it is. * The book really stretches your imagination. truth / belief 11 [VN] to use sth in a way that would not normally be considered fair, acceptable, etc: He admitted that he had maybe stretched the truth (= not been completely honest) a little. * The play's plot stretches credulity to the limit. IDIOMS stretch your legs (informal) to go for a short walk after sitting for some time: It was good to get out of the car and stretch our legs. stretch a point to allow or do sth that is not usually acceptable, especially because of a particular situation: I was hoping they would stretch a point and let me stay on for a while. moreatRULEn. PHRASALVERBS stretch out