at full stretch

at full stretch

Putting forth maximum effort. Primarily heard in UK. The doctors are working at full stretch to save your husband right now.
See also: full, stretch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

at full stretch

BRITISH
COMMON If someone or something is operating at full stretch, they are working as hard as they can, using all their resources, and cannot work any harder. Police are warning that emergency services are at full stretch and they are advising motorists to travel only if their journey is absolutely necessary. The increased export business kept our production plants at full stretch. Note: You can also say that someone or something is fully stretched. Its 150 staff were already fully stretched and could not cope with the extra demand.
See also: full, stretch
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

at full stretch

1 with a part of your body fully extended. 2 using the maximum amount of your resources or energy.
See also: full, stretch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

at full ˈstretch

to the full extent of your powers, abilities, etc: We’ve been working at full stretch for weeks to get the hall ready for the conference.
See also: full, stretch
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be as full as a boot
  • full circle, come
  • goog
  • (as) full as a goog
  • full as a goog
  • full of years
  • be full of beans
  • glass
  • seize the moment
  • in full gear
References in classic literature
Perseus himself, the son of Danae, was at full stretch, like one who hurries and shudders with horror.
It was heading for the top corner until Lowson, at full stretch, managed to tip the ball on to the bar; it helped secure an important win for the Highwaymen as their title tilt nears a glorious conclusion.
If there was a Mount Rushmore for English football, Banks (above, at full stretch for Leicester City in the 1961 FA Cup Final) and the rest of the 1966 World Cup winners would be first to be carved - and wouldn't they deserve it!
Right at the death Robert McHugh fired wide at full stretch for Morton following a cross from the left by Mark Russell.
When a horse is at full stretch, the fetlock can extend to the point where the sesamoid bones make contact with the ground.
Neuer was called into action after just five minutes when he dived at full stretch to keep out a fierce first-time shot from Yevhen Konoplyanka.
CLA North director of policy and public affairs Douglas Chalmers said: "With local authorities already having to deal with horses left on publicly-owned land and animal charities at full stretch, it's often down to the landowner to take costly legal action to have the horses removed.
At full stretch, he turned a 20-yard drive from Stuart McLeod round the post.
The Stair Park No.1 was at full stretch early on to save a Kevin McMullan strike and he followed that up to deny Kieran McAnespie and Steven Doris.
In the 32nd minute, Mellor hit a thunderous 25-yard shot which the Golcar keeper was at full stretch to save, and then it was the turn of Armitage to be stretched from a free-kick taken by ex-Kirkburton player Adam Wilson.
The Dane kept out a bullet-like header from Blues striker Garry O'Connor at full stretch from a Sebastian Larsson free-kick.
Wright had forced Potter to save at full stretch from a blistering left-sided shot on 13, and Michael Blackwood hit a free-kick just wide of the mark on the half-hour.
Anyon was at full stretch to tip Mark Molesley's 25-yard drive around a post to keep the score goalless in a game of few chances.
It should have been 2-0 moments later after a defensive howler gifted the ball to the Holywell striker who shot towards the empty net only for McCallan to save at full stretch.
The rescue services are at full stretch, Busy doing what they know best, Risking their own lives and limbs, To rescue their fellowman and beast.