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reach out — to extend one's hand or arm in order to touch or grasp something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to extend one's hand or arm in order to touch or grasp something

Pronunciation (IPA): /riːtʃ aʊt/

Example Sentences

  • My cat always reaches out with its paw when I'm eating, as if saying 'Share your tuna sandwich, human!'
  • The teacher encouraged students to reach out if they were struggling with the homework.
  • I reached out to grab the last slice of pizza, but my brother was faster.

reach out

VERB

[/riːtʃ aʊt/]

to extend one's hand or arm in order to touch or grasp something

to extend one's hand or arm in order to touch or grasp something
💡 Concept

to extend one's hand or arm in order to touch or grasp something

Reach out to save, beach out to teach out hope!
🎵 Rhyme

Reach out to save, beach out to teach out hope!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/riːtʃ aʊt/
🇬🇧 UK/riːtʃ aʊt/

🌳Etymology

Origin

The phrase 'reach out' combines two Old English elements: 'reach' derives from Old English 'ræcan', meaning 'to stretch' or 'to extend', and 'out', an adverb meaning 'outward' or 'away'. Together, these formed a phrasal verb conveying the act of extending oneself outward, both literally and metaphorically.

Breakdown

reach (Old English 'ræcan', meaning 'to stretch or extend') + out (adverb meaning 'outward or away'). The combination creates the sense of extending beyond one's immediate position or established boundaries.

🎵Rhyme

teach out
beach out
preach out

🔗Collocations

reach out for help
reach out to someone
reach out and touch
reach out to the community
reach out your hand

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My cat always reaches out with its paw when I'm eating, as if saying 'Share your tuna sandwich, human!'”

“The teacher encouraged students to reach out if they were struggling with the homework.”

“I reached out to grab the last slice of pizza, but my brother was faster.”

😄 Fun example

“She reached out to her old friends on social media, only to discover they were all posting pictures of their perfect breakfast.”

📚Related Words

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