reach out

reach out 

1. Lit. to extend one's grasp outward. He reached out, but there was no one to take hold of. I reached out and grabbed onto the first thing I could get hold of.

2. Fig. to enlarge one's circle of friends and experiences. If you are that lonely, you ought to reach out. Get to know some new friends. I need to reach out more and meet people.

See also: out, reach

reach out (after someone or something) and reach out (for something)

to extend one's grasp to someone or something. Don reached out after Doris, but she slipped away before he could get a good hold on her. Doris reached out for the door, but it slammed closed.

See also: out, reach

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reach out (to somebody)

to make a special effort to communicate with or help someone I was going through a hard time, and Johnny really reached out to me during that period. He used his dance company as a way of reaching out to African-American youth.

See also: out, reach