stretching
/stretʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [strˈɛtʃɪŋ] /stretʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [strˈɛtʃɪŋ] /ˈstrech How to pronounce stretch (audio)/ (ame, mw)
stretching — verb
- stretchingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stretchings3rd person singular
- stretchinging-ing form
- stretchingedpast simple
1. to make your body, one of its parts, or another thing longer and more fully exte
to make your body, one of its parts, or another thing longer and more fully extended by reaching outward or by pulling it farther
Mira was stretching her arms above her head after the long bus ride.
be stretching + body part
Christopher kept stretching the wet sweater so it would fit the frame.
stretching + material by pulling
Lakshmi is stretching her hand toward the blue bowl on the top shelf.
Before the next jump, Heloisa was stretching her calf beside the track.
- contract
to become shorter or tighter instead of longer
文法句型
be stretching + body part / material
stretching toward + target
stretching after sitting or exercise
用法筆記
This sense covers both body movement and physically pulling a material or object longer. A body part or the thing being pulled is often stated directly.
常見錯誤
2. to reach across a wide space or to continue through a long period instead of sto
to reach across a wide space or to continue through a long period instead of stopping quickly
From the ferry, Elise saw dark cliffs stretching along the northern shore.
stretching along + place
A line of market stalls was stretching from the station to the bridge.
stretching from ... to ...
Negotiations kept stretching into the evening because both sides wanted changes.
Sade said the harvest season was stretching later each year in her valley.
- end
to stop instead of continuing farther
文法句型
be stretching along + place
be stretching from + place + to + place
be stretching into / through + time
用法筆記
The subject is usually a line, area, event, season, or period of time. Distinguish it from sense 1, which focuses on physically extending a body, object, or material.
3. to make limits, time, money, truth, or someone's ability go farther than feels n
to make limits, time, money, truth, or someone's ability go farther than feels normal, comfortable, or originally planned
Paying for four taxis this week is stretching our travel budget badly.
stretching a budget
The editor warned that the headline was stretching the truth for attention.
common phrase: stretching the truth
Their lunch break kept stretching past two o'clock on busy Fridays.
That extra project is stretching Iris, but she is learning fast.
- overextend
stresses going too far, especially with money, effort, or resources
- strain
focuses more strongly on pressure or difficulty
- ease
to reduce pressure instead of pushing farther
文法句型
stretching + budget / truth / patience
stretching past + time
stretching + person
用法筆記
Use this sense when something is being pushed beyond an easy limit. It can describe a person being challenged, a plan lasting too long, or a claim that goes farther than the facts support.
常見錯誤
4. to put a familiar brand name or image onto new products or services outside the
to put a familiar brand name or image onto new products or services outside the area people first knew it for
The company is stretching its luxury hotel brand into home furniture.
stretching a brand into + category
Analysts said the chain was stretching the cafe name too far with perfume sales.
By selling travel insurance, the airline is stretching its brand beyond flights.
Investors asked whether the startup was stretching its image into too many markets.
- narrow
to keep a business focused on fewer products or markets
文法句型
stretching + brand + into + category
stretching + image + beyond + market
用法筆記
This sense belongs to marketing and business writing. It is usually about a company trying to carry trust from one product area into another.
stretching — noun
1. the activity or movement of lengthening your muscles and joints so your body fee
the activity or movement of lengthening your muscles and joints so your body feels looser and stays flexible
The class begins with ten minutes of gentle stretching on the mats.
uncountable: stretching as an activity
After the flight, Dewi did some stretching beside the baggage belt.
Regular stretching has helped Layla's shoulders feel less tight at work.
The trainer ended practice with partner stretching for the whole team.
- mobility work
broader; includes joint-control exercises beyond simple stretches
- warm-up
broader; may include running or other movement as well as stretching
文法句型
do stretching
gentle / regular stretching
stretching before / after + activity
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when it means the general activity. It often appears in health, sport, dance, and travel contexts where people want to loosen stiff muscles.