the stretch

noun

: the final straight part of a racecourse before the finish line

the horses are in the (final) stretch

—often used figuratively

She's in the final stretch. The baby's due next month.

They will wind up the season with a winning record having won some crucial games down the stretch.

Examples of the stretch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Belgium actually generated better scoring opportunities down the stretch while finishing with 23 shots, but both teams left with their second straight draw in group play. —ABC News, 21 June 2026

Live like an influencer at the iconic Fontainebleau, located on the stretch of Miami Beach known as Millionaire's Row. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 21 June 2026

After missing most of 2025 following elbow surgery, Steele was expected to rejoin the rotation sometime in late spring and potentially provide a significant boost down the stretch. —Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Indiana treated the basketball like a live grenade down the stretch. —Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

• etch
• fetch
• fletch
• ketch
• sketch
• vetch
• wretch