By no stretch of imagination Meaning in English
expression
BY-noh STRECH-uhv i-MAJ-uh-NAY-shuhn
by-NOH STRECH-uhv im-AJ-in-AY-shuhn
Definition
This phrase means something is completely impossible or untrue, even if you try imagining all scenarios.
Usage & Nuances
Very emphatic, often used in formal or literary contexts. Commonly follows 'is' or 'could', e.g., 'This is, by no stretch of imagination, easy.' Not usually used in casual speech. Synonymous with 'absolutely not' or 'under no circumstances'.
Spanish: de ninguna manera - bajo ningún conceptoPortuguese (BR): de forma alguma - em hipótese algumaPortuguese (PT): de forma alguma - nem por sombrasChinese (Simplified): 无论如何都不Chinese (Traditional): 無論如何都不Hindi: किसी भी तरह से नहींArabic: بأي حال من الأحوالBengali: কোনোভাবেই না - একেবারেই নাRussian: ни при каких обстоятельствах - ни в коем случаеJapanese: どう考えても～ない - どんな想像をしても～ないVietnamese: không đời nào - hoàn toàn khôngKorean: 아무리 생각해도 ~ 아니다 - 결코 ~ 아니다Turkish: hiçbir şekilde - hayal gücünün hiçbir sınırında değilUrdu: کسی بھی صورت میں نہیں - ہرگز نہیںIndonesian: tidak sama sekali - sama sekali bukan
Example Sentences
By no stretch of imagination is this homework easy.
basic
He is by no stretch of imagination ready for the test.
basic
This is by no stretch of imagination a solution.
basic
My singing, by no stretch of imagination, could be called good.
natural
By no stretch of imagination did we expect them to win.
natural
That movie is, by no stretch of imagination, a comedy.
natural