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3. not by any stretch

not by any stretch

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not by any stretch (of the imagination)

also by no stretch (of the imagination)

even if you try, it is still difficult to accept She was never a great player, not by any stretch of the imagination. He's nice-looking but by no stretch of the imagination could you describe him as handsome. Our survey was purely random and by no stretch scientific.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form by any stretch (of the imagination) (even possibly): It's the only plan that could, by any stretch, be relied upon to work.

See also: any, not, stretch