at a stretch

Idioms  

1. Also, at one stretch. At one time, during one period. For example, Working quickly, she hoped to finish all the drawings at a stretch. In contrast to the nearly synonymous at a sitting, this idiom, first recorded in 1774, does not imply being seated while engaging in a single continuous activity. Rather, it transfers the meaning of stretch as “a continuous length” to “a continuous time period.”

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Example Sentences

Grasping a pair of dark grey trousers, it raised its upper body to stretch the fabric taut, before laying it flat and arranging it into neat halves.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

Coach Mike Brown’s “five-out” approach ensures every player is a 3-point threat, creating wide spacing to stretch defenses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 7, 2026

U.S. stock-index futures were little changed on Sunday, as Wall Street looks to stretch the market’s record-setting rally into June.

From MarketWatch • May 31, 2026

But, characteristically, he also frequently continued to stretch the limits of his music.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Carmetta shows all the newbies like me the proper way to stretch.

From "A Good Kind of Trouble" by Lisa Moore Ramée