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

The Fever kept it within single digits until the final two minutes, but the shots just didn't fall down the stretch. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Sale dueled early against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo, who was sharp after missing time down the stretch with left shoulder inflammation. — Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Bronny played regularly down the stretch last season and into the playoffs while Doncic and Reaves were sidelined by injury, teaming up with his father for significant minutes in the Lakers' first-round upset of the Houston Rockets. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Throughout the night, the band raged through 18 songs as Vedder rollicked onstage, sending the thousands gathered on the stretch of Doheny Beach into an absolute fervor. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for the stretch

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