A bit of a stretch

Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei.

And I'm Phil. Feifei, I found out something really cool last week.

Really, what's that?

I found out that I went to primary school with a famous comedian.

Really?

Well, I was aged four in the nursery, when he was eleven and in year six.

So, you were like seven years apart? In different buildings? I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that you went to school with him.

Ok, well then let's forget my story and we'll just look at that expression 'a bit of a stretch'.

Yes, if something is a bit of a stretch, then you're exaggerating – it's not completely untrue, but it's not 100% true either. For example, you say that you wrote a whole presentation, when really you just helped someone else do it. Another example - you might say you can speak German, when really you just know how to say hello in German.

Let's hear some other people using 'a bit of a stretch'.

Neil said he could be a professional guitarist, but to be honest, I've heard him play, and I'd say it's a bit of a stretch. He told me he was an excellent chef, but I've tasted his food, and I think that's a bit of a stretch. People said that building is one of the most beautiful buildings they've ever seen. I think that's a bit of stretch.

We've been learning the expression 'a bit of a stretch' to mean 'an exaggeration'.

Yes, we can also use 'stretch' as a verb with the same meaning – 'that's stretching it a bit' means 'I don't think that's completely true'.

OK. We've learned 'a bit of a stretch', join us next time to learn more English phrases and expressions

Now, it might be a bit of stretch to say that you'll learn all the English you'll ever need from the next episode, but it'll definitely help.

That's right! See you then.

Bye!