stretch oneself

英 /strɛtʃ wʌnˈsɛlf/美 /strɛtʃ wʌnˈsɛlf/

v. 动词

伸展身体;竭尽全力;使发挥超常

用法示例

  1. Before the race, I always stretch myself to prevent injury.比赛前,我总是伸展身体以防受伤。
  2. To meet the deadline, she stretched herself to work overtime every day.为了赶上截止日期,她竭尽全力每天加班。
  3. The coach believes that this training will stretch the athletes to their limits.教练认为这次训练将使运动员发挥到极限。
  4. In his new role, he had to stretch himself to learn many new skills.在新岗位上,他不得不竭尽全力学习许多新技能。
  5. Don't be afraid to stretch yourself; that's how you grow.不要害怕挑战自己,那是你成长的方式。

含义详解

本义指伸展身体,如伸懒腰或运动前的拉伸,使肌肉放松。引申义一为“竭尽全力”,指在体力或精神上超越平时的限度;引申义二为“使发挥超常”,指通过挑战使能力得到提升。引申逻辑:从身体动作到心理或能力的延伸,强调突破舒适区。

词源解析

stretch源自古英语streccan,意为“拉长”;oneself为反身代词,指主语自身。构词逻辑为“使自身拉长”,即通过努力扩展自身能力或身体。记忆时可联想“拉伸橡皮筋”需用力,从而记住“竭尽全力”的引申义。

适用语境

在体育或日常口语中,常用本义,如“I need to stretch myself before running.”,语气轻松。在职场或学术写作中,引申义“挑战自我”更常见,如“This project will stretch oneself.”,语气正式。在励志演讲或文学作品中,强调超越自我,如“She stretched herself to achieve her dream.”,语气激昂。

用法须知

stretch oneself为及物短语,oneself随主语变化(如myself, yourself)。常见句型:主语+stretch+反身代词+to do/for sth.。易错点:反身代词不可省略,且后面常接不定式或介词短语表目的。

相似词辨析

与“push oneself”相比,stretch oneself更侧重“扩展能力”而非“施加压力”;与“challenge oneself”相比,stretch oneself更强调“超越舒适区”且结果积极;与“exert oneself”相比,stretch oneself更口语化,exert更正式。

常见误区

语域中性偏正式,褒义色彩。常见误用:将oneself误写为其他代词,或误用为“stretch someone”表示“使某人伸展”(实际表示“拉长某人”)。

常见搭配

  • stretch oneself to the limit
  • stretch oneself for a goal
  • stretch oneself thin
  • stretch oneself to achieve
  • stretch oneself in training
  • stretch oneself beyond comfort