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

Newcomer Osleivis Basabe, who currently is currently handling second base, could also see time at third base down the stretch when Marcelo Mayer debuts. — Devin Bradshaw, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026

Sutton, indeed, saw his workload skyrocket down the stretch, with at least double-digit targets in four straight games in December. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 7 Aug. 2026

The Pirates made a few moves to try and fortify their bullpen for the stretch run. — Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

And the stretch of highway where the tipster reported seeing Ashley running from the car is near the mountain’s eastern base. — Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 6 Aug. 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

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