reach out

/riːtʃ aʊt/
phrasal verb★Intermediate— to make contact or communicate◆phrasal verb
◆ What It Really Means
To initiate contact or communication with someone, often with the intention of reconnecting, offering help, or starting a conversation.
Literal Meaning
To physically extend one's hand or arm toward someone or something outside of oneself.
Literal Breakdown
reachto extend one's hand or arm+outtoward the outside
◇ Mental Image
The mental image is of extending one's hand toward someone else, symbolizing the effort to connect or communicate.
◈ When to Use
A person who has lost touch with a friend might decide to 'reach out' by sending a message or calling to reconnect.
◉ Cultural Note
This phrase is widely used in English-speaking cultures to describe the act of making contact, whether for personal or professional reasons. It emphasizes the proactive nature of the action.
informal

To make contact or communicate with someone, often to offer help, reconnect, or initiate a conversation.

The company reached out to potential clients to discuss a new project.

The company contacted potential clients to discuss a new project.

If you need support, don't hesitate to reach out.

If you need support, don't hesitate to contact us.

💡

This phrase is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to indicate initiating contact.

Collocations

reach out to someoneto contact or communicate with someone

Related Phrases

get in touchphrase
to make contact with someone
touch basephrase
to make contact briefly to check in

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Professional Settings

In business contexts, 'reach out' is often used to initiate professional communication, such as discussing a project or offering support.

⚡Gold Rule

Avoid Overuse

While 'reach out' is common, overusing it in formal writing can make your language seem repetitive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like 'contact' or 'get in touch'.

📖Word Origin

The phrase combines the verb 'reach' (to extend or extend oneself) with the preposition 'out' (toward someone or something). Together, they convey the idea of extending oneself to make contact.

📝Usage Notes

This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a proactive effort to connect with someone.

Word Breakdown

reach
to extend or extend oneself
root
+
out
toward someone or something
preposition
English Dictionary