not by any stretch

not by any stretch (of the imagination)

even if you try, it is still difficult to accept. She was never a great player, not by any stretch of the imagination. He's nice-looking but by no stretch of the imagination could you describe him as handsome. Our survey was purely random and by no stretch scientific.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form by any stretch (of the imagination) even possibly: It's the only plan that could, by any stretch, be relied upon to work.It's only a slight stretch of the imagination to call that scissors a weapon.

See also: any, stretch