1.
to stretch, to extend
To pull something to make it longer or larger.
ゴムを引き伸ばす。
To stretch a rubber band.
2.
to enlarge (photo)
To make a photograph larger, to print an enlargement.
この写真をA4サイズに引き伸ばしてください。
Please enlarge this photo to A4 size.
3.
to delay, to postpone
To stretch out the time of something, to drag out a process.
交渉を引き伸ばして時間を稼いだ。
We bought time by dragging out the negotiations.
COMPOUND VERB: 引く (to pull) + 伸ばす (to extend) = to pull and extend
TRANSITIVITY: Transitive. The intransitive counterpart is 引き伸びる.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 写真を引き伸ばす (to enlarge a photo)
- 期間を引き伸ばす (to extend the period)
- 決定を引き伸ばす (to delay a decision)
- 引き伸ばし (noun form: enlargement; delay)
PHOTOGRAPHY USAGE: In the context of film photography, 引き伸ばす refers to making an enlargement print from a negative.
RELATED ～伸ばす COMPOUND VERBS:
- 書き伸ばす - to extend in writing
- 押し伸ばす - to spread by pressing