stretches; stretched; stretching
stretches; stretched; stretching
Learner's definition of STRETCH
1
a [+ object] : to make (something) wider or longer by pulling it拉宽;拉长 -
Don't yank on my sweater. You'll stretch it.不要拽我的毛衣,会把它拉长的。
-
I'm trying to stretch (out) the wool hat that shrank in the wash.我努力试着把洗后缩水的羊毛帽子撑大。
-
Carefully stretch the dough.小心地拉长面团。
b [no object] : to become longer or wider when pulled变长;变宽 -
The elastic waistband of my pants won't stretch any more.我裤子的松紧带没弹性了。
-
jeans/pants that stretch有弹力的牛仔裤/裤子
-
The material/fabric stretches.这种材料/布料具有弹力。
2
a : to put your arms, legs, etc., in positions that make the muscles long and tight伸展肢体 [no object]
[+ object]
b always followed by an adverb or preposition : to extend your arm, leg, etc., in order to reach something伸出,伸长(手臂、腿等) [no object]
—
often + out [+ object]
—
often + out 3
always followed by an adverb or preposition,
[+ object] : to pull (something) so that it becomes flat and smooth and goes across a surface or area展开;铺开 -
She stretched the canvas over the wooden frame.她把画布紧绷在木框上。
-
The T-shirt was stretched tight over his belly.那件T恤衫紧绷在他肚子上。
-
A big banner was stretched across the doorway.门口张挂着巨大的横幅。
4 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no object]
a : to continue for a specified distance : to extend over an area绵延;延伸 —
used to describe how long something is用于描述长度 b : to continue over a period of time延续 -
Her interest in art stretches back to her childhood. [=she has been interested in art since she was a child]她对艺术的热爱源自儿时。
-
Construction that began in late April stretched [=continued] into June.工程从四月底延续至六月。
5
[+ object] : to say something that is not exactly true夸张;夸大 -
He was stretching the truth [=exaggerating] to make the story more interesting.他夸大事实,以使整件事更加有趣。
-
Although it may be stretching a point [=exaggerating slightly] to say that this was his best win ever, it was nevertheless impressive.说这是他有史以来最大的胜利有点言过其实,不过这次的确让人印象深刻。
-
(informal) She's a good musician but comparing her to the legends is stretching it. [=she's good but she can't really be compared to the legends]她是个优秀的音乐家,但是把她和传奇人物相提并论有点言过其实。
-
(informal) It's stretching things to say that she enjoys his visits. [=she doesn't really enjoy his visits]她其实并不喜欢他的来访。
6 [+ object]
a : to cause or force (something) to be used for a longer time or for more purposes than originally planned or expected节约使用(以延长使用时间);最大限度地利用 -
They were forced to stretch their food supplies.他们被迫靠这些食物供给再撑一段时间。
-
The unexpected expenses have stretched their budget to the breaking point.意外的花销使他们差点超出预算。
-
The country is stretching its military forces to the limit.这个国家正最大限度地利用其军事力量。
—
often + out b : to cause (something, such as a rule) to have a meaning or purpose that is different from what was originally intended放宽;放松 c —
used figuratively in various phrases在多个短语中用作比喻 7
[+ object] : to require (someone) to use a lot of effort, ability, skill, etc., in order to succeed使竭尽所能;使施展本领
stretch out
[phrasal verb] stretch out or stretch (yourself) out
: to extend your body in a flat position : to spread out in a relaxed position伸展四肢平躺 —
often used as (be) stretched out常用作(be) stretched out — see also 1stretch 2b, 6a (above)
stretch your legs
informal
: to stand up and walk especially after sitting for a long period of time(尤指久坐后)活动腿脚
— stretchable
/ˈstrɛtʃəbəl/ adjective 2 stretch /ˈstrɛtʃ/ noun
plural stretches
plural stretches
Learner's definition of STRETCH
1
[count] : a continuous area or length of land or water一片地域;一片水域 2 [count]
a : a continuous period of time(连续的)一段时间 b informal : a period of time spent in prison服刑期 —
usually singular通常用单数 3
: an act of stretching your body or part of your body(肢体)伸展,伸开 [count]
[noncount]
4
the stretch : the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line(终点前的)直线跑道 —
often used figuratively常用作比喻 — see also homestretch 5
[noncount] : the ability to be stretched without breaking or being torn弹性;伸缩性 6 [singular] chiefly US
a : something that requires a special effort to be done : something that is beyond a person's usual abilities需超常才智才能完成的事;非常人所能的事 b : a statement, description, etc., that is not strictly true or accurate言过其实的话
at full stretch
British, informal
: with as much effort as possible全力以赴;竭尽所能
by any/no stretch of the imagination
—
used to emphasize that something is not true, does not happen, etc.无论怎样想象也不 -
They're not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. [=they're not wealthy at all]他们再怎么说也算不上富有。
-
By no stretch of the imagination does the factory operate efficiently. [=the factory does not operate at all efficiently]这家工厂的效率实在难以恭维。
the seventh-inning stretch
baseball
: the time between the two halves of the seventh inning when the people watching a game traditionally stand up and stretch their legs(棒球比赛第七局上下半场之间的)观众伸展活动时间
3 stretch /ˈstrɛtʃ/ adjective
3 stretch
/ˈstrɛtʃ/
adjective
Learner's definition of STRETCH
always used before a noun
: made to stretch easily and then return to the original shape and size有弹性的;可拉伸的