home stretch

IPA/ˌhəʊm ˈstretʃ/
IPA/ˌhoʊm ˈstretʃ/

home stretch — noun

1. the last stage of a long process, project, or period of time — for example, the

1.nounB1
Definition

the last stage of a long process, project, or period of time — for example, the final weeks of a major renovation or the last few exams of a school term.

Example

Beatriz's team is on the home stretch of the eight-month renovation project.

be on the home stretch of [something]

With only two exams left, Adina knew she was in the home stretch of the semester.

in the home stretch of [a period]

Common collocations
  • on the home stretch
  • in the home stretch
  • enter the home stretch
  • head into the home stretch
  • home stretch of the campaign
  • home stretch of the project
Synonyms
  • final stage

    more neutral; lacks the sense of effort implied by home stretch

  • last leg

    more informal; often used for journeys or step-by-step processes

  • end phase

    more formal or technical; common in business or military contexts

Antonyms
  • beginning

    the very start of a process rather than its final part

  • starting line

    metaphorical opposite, from the racing origin of the phrase

Grammar Patterns

in/on/into the home stretch

be on the home stretch

Usage Note

Often used with prepositions such as 'on', 'in', 'into', or 'through'. Can also be written as one word: 'homestretch'.

2. the straight section of a racetrack that leads to the finish line, or the final

2.nounB1
Definition

the straight section of a racetrack that leads to the finish line, or the final part of any race or competitive event.

Example

The crowd stood up as the horses turned into the home stretch of the Kentucky Derby.

turn into the home stretch of [race]

Aarav pushed harder when he saw the home stretch of the 10-kilometre race ahead.

Common collocations
  • into the home stretch
  • down the home stretch
  • come into the home stretch
  • hit the home stretch
  • home stretch of the race
  • home stretch of the marathon
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • starting line

    the beginning of the race, opposite end of the track

Grammar Patterns

into the home stretch

down the home stretch

come into the home stretch

Usage Note

In British English, the equivalent term is 'home straight' or 'finishing straight'. The US term 'home stretch' is also widely understood in British sports coverage.

Common Mistakes

The runner crossed the home stretch in first place.
The runner won the race on the home stretch.
You cross the finish line, not the home stretch; the home stretch is the section leading to it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four refer to the concluding portion of a process, but 'home stretch' carries a distinct sense of effort and near-completion borrowed from racing. 'Final stage' is the most neutral and widely applicable — you could use it for a scientific experiment or a cooking recipe. 'Last leg' is more informal and typically suggests a journey or series of steps, as in 'the last leg of our road trip.' 'End phase' sounds more technical or formal, making it a good fit for project management or military contexts. 'Closing stretch' is the closest synonym, sharing the same sports metaphor but sounding slightly less idiomatic in everyday conversation. For example: 'We are in the home stretch of the merger talks' implies active, tiring work almost finished, whereas 'we are in the final stage of the merger talks' merely states the point in the timeline.

final stagelast legend phaseclosing stretch

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • head into the home stretch
  • be on the home stretch
  • enter the home stretch
  • come into the home stretch

Prepositions

Etymology

English (American horse-racing slang)

The phrase comes from 19th-century American horse racing, where the final straight section of the track leading to the finish line was called the 'home stretch.' The word 'home' meant 'to the finish (home)' and 'stretch' referred to a straight segment of the track. By the early 1900s, the term had expanded beyond racing to describe the final part of any lengthy task or process. The one-word spelling 'homestretch' became common in the late 20th century.