Outstretch your arm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Outstretch your arm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being instructed to extend their arm, often for a gesture or action. Example: "To help your friend reach the top shelf, you should outstretch your arm and offer assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To do this, expose your elbow and outstretch your arm so it is flat and put the diaphragm down, you will have to gently and slowly press softer to harder on your arm until you hear your pulse.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

You can kneel or sit and outstretch your arms.

WikiHow

Outstretching your arms or legs to push, hold, obstruct, trip, or hit the opponent or to charge into a defensive player.

WikiHow

As soon as the rest of your body reaches the ground, quickly outstretch your arms thus creating the illusion you never used your arms.

WikiHow

Don't outstretch your muscles!

WikiHow

Now relax your arm.

The Washington Post

"You break your arm?

The New York Times - Sports

Twist your arm or pull your hair?

Global Health Action

So instead of snapping it back up as you see it outstretch in front of you, you're going to hold it down by your leg, shoot it out, and continue a rotating motion with your arm, forcing the yo-yo to go "around the world," or around in a large circle.

WikiHow

Wind up your arm.

WikiHow

Squeeze your arm rest.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "outstretch your arm" when you want to specifically emphasize the act of fully extending the arm, often in a context where precise positioning is important.

Common error

Avoid using "outstretch your arm" in casual contexts where simpler alternatives like "extend your arm" or "reach out your arm" would be more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstretch your arm" functions as an imperative, directing someone to perform a specific action. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically sound, although its usage may be less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "outstretch your arm" is a grammatically correct, though somewhat uncommon, imperative phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity. Its primary function is to instruct or direct someone to fully extend their arm. While "outstretch your arm" is technically correct, it's generally more appropriate in contexts where precise arm positioning is important, such as medical or exercise instructions. Simpler alternatives like "extend your arm" or "reach out your arm" are often more suitable for casual situations. This phrase is mostly found in "Wiki" sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extend your arm

Replaces "outstretch" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

Reach out your arm

Uses "reach out" to convey the action of extending the arm, implying a reaching motion.

Hold out your arm

Suggests holding the arm in an extended position, emphasizing stability.

Put your arm out

A simpler, more colloquial way to express extending the arm.

Stretch your arm out

Emphasizes the act of stretching while extending the arm.

Thrust your arm forward

Implies a more forceful and directed extension of the arm.

Raise your arm

Focuses on the upward movement of the arm.

Lift your arm

Similar to "raise your arm", but can imply a gentler motion.

Present your arm

Suggests offering the arm, perhaps for assistance or display.

Proffer your arm

A more formal version of "present your arm", indicating offering or extending.

FAQs

What does "outstretch your arm" mean?

The phrase "outstretch your arm" means to extend your arm fully, often in a straight line from your body.

How can I use "outstretch your arm" in a sentence?

You can use "outstretch your arm" when instructing someone to extend their arm, such as in a medical procedure or exercise instruction. For example: "To check your pulse, "outstretch your arm" and place the stethoscope on your inner elbow."

What can I say instead of "outstretch your arm"?

You can use alternatives like "extend your arm", "reach out your arm", or "hold out your arm" depending on the context.

Is "outstretch your arm" formal or informal?

"Outstretch your arm" is generally considered more formal than phrases like "put your arm out", but less formal than "proffer your arm".