by any stretch of the imagination

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by any stretch of the imagination

As much or as far as one is able to imagine or believe. Usually used in the negative. It's looking like we're not going to win by any stretch of the imagination. I can't see by any stretch of the imagination how we're going to pull this off.
See also: any, by, imagination, of, stretch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

by any stretch of the imagination

as much as anyone could imagine; as much as is imaginable. (Often negative.) I don't see how anyone by any stretch of the imagination could fail to understand what my last sentence meant.
See also: any, by, imagination, of, stretch
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

by any stretch of the imagination

If something is not true by any stretch of the imagination, it is definitely not true. The Danube was not by any stretch of the imagination blue. Note: People sometimes just say by any stretch. He is not regarded as a serious biographer by any stretch.
See also: any, by, imagination, of, stretch
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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References in periodicals archive ?
"We know she'd be proud of what we've achieved and we're not finished yet, not by any stretch."
Agency raises PS50,000 to help fight condition
Old it may be, but it is neither dead nor decaying - not by any stretch of the imagination.
Reports about death of democracy are greatly exaggerated
"We're not getting carried away - not by any stretch of the imagination.
STEADY AS SHE GOES! IRISH LEAGUE BALLYMENA V GLENTORAN SHOWGROUNDS, 7.45PM; Jeffrey keen to dampen talk of topping the table
Not by any stretch. But the atmosphere he creates is a stark departure from some of the better-known titles in his considerable canon.
What We Are Reading Today: Stephen King's 11/22/63
A yes vote from the X Factor judges is not by any stretch of the imagination "amazing".
Amazing? Not really; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk
The long-serving striker told the Chronicle: "This isn't our season over, not by any stretch of the imagination.
SON'T WRITE TOON OFF-SHOLA; Ameobi: We must stay positive
OWNER Gary Newbon thought my description of Droopys Greg's Hove victory two weeks ago as 'workmanlike' was a little unfair, but the win could not by any stretch be called impressive and he makes only limited appeal heading the market for the Coral Greyhound Olympic.
Olympic gold on for 8-1 Jazz; JONATHAN KAY
And while it's not a masterpiece, not by any stretch, Colin is certainly not drivel.
Just pounds 45 to bring zombie flick to life
Lawrence Seaway was not easily built, not by any stretch of the imagination.
Pandora's Locks
It's not by any stretch of the imagination an easy ride, but it deserves attention and applause.
Tough to watch, but worth it; REVIEW
The volume levels stated are not by any stretch of the imagination unreasonable.
Letter: Your Say - Festival is so good for city
(1) The fourth gospel's Jesus is no victim, however, and his death is not by any stretch a tragedy.
Precious, inevitable scandal: theology of the cross in Mark
Asked if Wimbledon was an impossible dream, he replied: 'No it is not, it is not by any stretch of the imagination.
Tennis: Wimbledon 2005: but don't forget about me, insists Henman
Not by any stretch of the imagination, though, as young as Justin Rose, who climbed from 24th with a round to go into a tie for fifth and was joint leading European with Swede Fredrik Jacobson - like him making his debut in the event.
GOLF: FURYK'S DREAMS COME TRUE IN A MAJOR
"We're not bankrupt, not by any stretch of the imagination," says Ebrabimoff, "but we're finding that it's not profitable to be in the American market anymore.
Kelaty pulling out of U.S., won't move to mass level
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