reach for the sky

reach for the sky

1. To set one's goals or ambitions very high; to try to attain or achieve something particularly difficult. My parents always taught me to reach for the sky when I was growing up—that I could be anything I set my mind to! With all that money, you could do whatever you want. Reach for the sky, kiddo!

2. A command for one to put one's hands up in a show of surrender, as during a robbery or an arrest. Reach for the sky, MacAfee, we've got you surrounded!

See also: reach, sky

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

reach for the sky

 

1. and aim for the sky; shoot for the sky Fig. to set one's sights high. Reach for the sky! Go for it! You should always reach for the sky, but be prepared for not attaining your goals every time.

2. Fig. Inf. to put one's hands up, as in a burglary. The gunman told the bank teller to reach for the sky. Reach for the sky and give me all your money!

See also: reach, sky

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

reach for the sky

1. Set very high goals, aspire to the best, as in I'm sure they'll make you a partner, so reach for the sky. The sky here stands for high aspirations. Also see sky's the limit.

2. Put your hands up high, as in One robber held the teller at gunpoint, shouting " Reach for the sky!" This usage is always put as an imperative. [Slang; mid-1900s]

See also: reach, sky

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

reach for the sky

If you reach for the sky, you are ambitious and try hard to achieve something very difficult. You have inspired our students and helped them to reach for the sky.

See also: reach, sky

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

reach for the sky

verb

See aim for the sky

See also: reach, sky

reach for the sky

1. Go to aim for the sky.

2. in. (a command) to put one’s hands up, as in a robbery. The bank teller reached for the sky without having to be told.

See also: reach, sky

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.