How to Pronounce "by any stretch of the imagination"
expression
BY EN-ee STRECH uhv thuh i-madzh-uh-NAY-shun
by EN-ee strech uhv the i-madzh-in-AY-shun
Definition
This expression means that something is not true or possible at all, even if you try very hard to imagine it. It emphasizes strong denial or impossibility.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈbaɪ/ /ˈɛni/ /ˈstɹɛtʃ/ /ˈəv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˌɪˌmædʒəˈneɪʃən
British English
bˈaɪ/ /ˈɛni/ /stɹˈɛtʃ/ /ˈɒv/ /ðə, ði/ /ɪmˌædʒɪnˈeɪʃən
Simplified Pronunciation
US
BY EN-ee STRECH uhv thuh i-madzh-uh-NAY-shun
UK
by EN-ee strech uhv the i-madzh-in-AY-shun
Listen in Context
He is not a good singer by any stretch of the imagination.
That movie isn’t interesting by any stretch of the imagination.
It wasn’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination.
He’s not a leader by any stretch of the imagination—he just follows what others say.