do a stretch do a stretch {v. phr.} To spend time in jail serving one's sentence. Jake has disappeared from view for a while; he is doing a stretch for dope smuggling. Categories: add yours time {v. phr.} Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms by A. Makkai, M.T. Boatner, J.E. Gates © 2024 To section: D Subscribe to: American IdiomsIdioms feedEnglish languageHome page and general feed Comment on this entry