stretch
Pronunciation: [strɛtʃ]
Context: "physical action"
(verb) to pull something so that it becomes longer or wider. When you stretch, you are trying to make your muscles longer and relaxed, like when you reach your arms up to the sky.
Example
He likes to stretch his arms before practicing soccer.
Example
She didn’t stretch yesterday and now her muscles are sore.
Example
Do you remember to stretch before you exercise?
Context: "time management"
(verb) to make something last longer than it normally would by using it carefully. This can be like keeping your candy for a longer time by having just a little each day.
Example
We can stretch the budget to last until the end of the month.
Example
He didn’t stretch his time wisely and now he has to rush through his homework.
Example
How can we stretch our allowance to buy more toys?
Context: "action or time"
(noun) a period of time when you do an activity that involves pulling or extending. When you go for a long walk or run, you might need to do some stretches for your muscles.
Example
After a long stretch of reading, she took a break to rest her eyes.
Example
He felt tired after a short stretch of studying without a break.
Example
How long is your usual stretch of playing outside?
Context: "emotional expression"
(verb) to extend or enlarge something beyond its usual limits, like expressing feelings or ideas more broadly. Sometimes, you can stretch the truth a little in a story to make it more exciting.
Example
She likes to stretch her imagination when she tells stories.
Example
He didn’t want to stretch the truth about what happened at school.
Example
Can you stretch your ideas to come up with new solutions?