stretch it out

[/stretʃ ɪt aʊt/]
verb phrase
prolongar, estender, alongar
1. To make something last longer by spreading it over a longer period of time
We need to stretch it out and make the budget last until the end of the month.
Precisamos prolongar e fazer o orçamento durar até o final do mês.
2. To extend one's body or limbs to full length
After sitting for hours, I stood up and decided to stretch it out.
Depois de ficar sentado por horas, me levantei e resolvi me esticar.
3. To extend the duration of an event, conversation, or activity
Let's stretch it out a bit longer; I'm still enjoying the party.
Vamos prolongar um pouco mais; ainda estou curtindo a festa.
4. To make something physically longer or wider by pulling
Stretch it out carefully so the fabric doesn't tear.
Estique com cuidado para que o tecido não rasgue.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, this phrase is commonly used in casual conversation to indicate either physical stretching (exercise/fitness) or temporal extension (making something last longer financially or socially). In Brazilian Portuguese, 'prolongar' is more formal while 'esticar' and 'estender' are more colloquial.
NYC Slang
drag it out
Synonyms / Sinônimos
extend itdraw it outprolong itlengthen itspread it out
Antonyms / Antônimos
shorten itcut it shortcompress itrush it

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
prolongar, estender, alongar
Most common usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
estender, prolongar
Common usage with physical stretching connotation
São Paulo
prolongar, esticar
Often used in business and time management contexts
Portugal
esticar, prolongar, estender
Similar usage but may favor 'prolongar' for duration

Related Words

stretchextensionelongateexpandprotractduration

Related Idioms & Phrases

make it last
go the distance
see it through
take one's time
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