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stretch out

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stretch out

[for one] to extend and stretch one's body to its full length. She lay down, stretched out, and relaxed for the first time in days. I need a bigger bed. I can't stretch out in this one.

See also: out, stretch

stretch someone or something out

to extend or draw out someone or something. Molly stretched the baby out to change his clothes. She stretched out the baby, who had rolled into a ball.

See also: out, stretch

stretch something out (to someone or something)

to reach something out to someone or something. Jeff stretched his hand out to Tiffany. He stretched out his hand to the visitor.

See also: out, stretch

stretch out

v.

1. To lengthen, widen, or distend something: The shoulders of the old coat were stretched out of shape. Don't put your big feet in my shoes or you'll stretch them out!

2. To become lengthened, widened, or distended: The sweater stretched out because it was hung on a hanger.

3. To reach or put something forth; extend something: The firefighters stretched out their hands to pull the child out of the well. Your elbow is probably not broken if you can stretch your arm out like that.

4. To extend oneself when lying down: Feel free to stretch yourself out on the couch. I had just stretched out on the sofa when the doorbell rang.

5. To lie down at full length: The cat stretched out on the bed.

6. To prolong: I was supposed to be back at work yesterday, but I decided to stretch out my vacation. The film was too short, so the director added new scenes to stretch it out to 90 minutes.

See also: out, stretch