connect

connect (up) to something

to attach to something; to attach or link something to some electrical device or electrical signal. When we finish the house, we will connect up to the utilities. We have to connect to the Internet ourselves.

connect (up) with someone or something 

1. to form an association with someone or a group. (The up is informal.) Let's connect up with some other people and form an organization through which we can express our views. We need to connect with like-minded people that can help us with our problems.

2. to meet with someone or a group; to communicate with someone or a group, especially over the telephone. I tried to connect up with Bob over the phone, but I could never reach him. We could not connect with the council to discuss these matters.

connect (with someone)

Fig. to meet someone; to talk to someone on the telephone. Let's try to connect on this matter tomorrow. We finally connected and discussed the matter fully over dinner.

connect (with the ball)

[for a batter] to hit a baseball. Wally connected for a double. He swung, but didn't connect with the ball.

connect someone or something(up) to someone or something and connect someone or something (up) with someone or something 

1. Lit. to connect people or things in any combination, physically or by wires. The nurse connected Maggie up to the electrocardiograph. Eric connected the machine to the wall plug. The receptionist connected my call up to Susan.

2. Fig. to make a mental connection between people and things in any combination. I connected myself up to a person with similar interests. I often connect up Bob to sailing, because I first met him on a boat.

3. Fig. to argue that someone or something is linked to a criminal or a criminal act. I can connect Eric to the crime. The police connected the stolen goods to Susan.

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connect the dots

to understand the relationship between different ideas or experiences It took years of hard work to connect the dots between the murder and the suspect.

Etymology: from a children's activity in which a picture can be seen when you draw lines to connect numbered dots (small, round marks)

See also: dot