by any stretch

Idioms  

1. Beyond ordinary limits, especially of the imagination. For example, She could not, by any stretch of the imagination, be considered a great actress. The phrase sometimes is put in the negative, by no stretch, as in By no stretch can that work be called an opera. [Late 1700s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by any stretch

Cyclospora is not a new pathogen by any stretch, but the sheer numbers here are surprising, even to health officials.

From Salon ● Jul. 10, 2026

"It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination, and they know that."

From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026

“It was not by any stretch of the definition a call to assassination and they know that. I’ve been very vocal for many years speaking out against gun violence in particular,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

“It was not, by any stretch of the definition, a call to assassinate. And they know that.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026

He wasn’t one of the main players by any stretch, but he was not doing badly in relation to others in the neighborhood.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore