stretch legs

stretch (one's) legs

To stand or walk to help relieve stiffness in one's legs, usually from sitting for a prolonged period of time. Let's stop off at this rest area for a while. After three hours of driving, I'm sure everyone would like to stretch their legs a bit.
See also: leg, stretch
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stretch one's legs

Fig. to walk around and loosen one's leg muscles after sitting down or lying down for a time. We wanted to stretch our legs during intermission. After sitting in the car all day, the travelers decided to stretch their legs.
See also: leg, stretch
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

stretch (one's) legs

To go for a walk, especially after a lengthy period of sitting.
See also: leg, stretch
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

stretch one's legs, to

To stand up or go for a walk in order to relieve muscular stiffness or for the exercise. This term has been around since the seventeenth century. Izaak Walton used it in The Compleat Angler (1653): “I have stretch’d my legs up Tottenham Hill to overtake you.”
See also: stretch
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • stretch (one's) legs
  • stretch one’s legs
  • stretch one's legs
  • stretch your legs
  • lay off the bottle
  • O-sign
  • the O-sign
  • go through hell
  • collect dust
  • catch dust
References in periodicals archive
On a 40-mile journey adults in the back begged for a chance to get out and stretch legs.
Three and easy; RUSSELL BRAY lets the hood down on the latest convertible 3-Series delight from BMW
Put weight on arms and stretch legs out in front of you.
The man who transformed Geri; .. AND HIS PLAN CAN WORK FOR YOU TOO
Sit down on mat, stretch legs straight out in front, place feet hip distance apart, bend knees and draw feet in a little way.
Power Yoga
Sit down on mat stretch legs straight out in front place feet hip distance apart bend knees and draw feet in a little way.
Power Yoga