Reach habits

[notletrest]

Can we say we reach habits, setting our brains on an auto-pilot?
Can we say we reach for habits, setting our brains on auto-pilot?
Can we say we reach for our ideals?
Thanks a lot!

[Barb_D]

You develop habits, but you don't reach them.

I'd say you attain your ideals. I don't think you reach for them. Maybe you do... let's see what other people say.

[notletrest]

You develop habits, but you don't reach them.

I'd sa you attain your ideas. I don't think you reach for them. Maybe you do... let's see what other people say.

I am sorry to say that you haven't answer my question completely. In short my question is :
1.Is "reach for habits" right?
2.Should we put "an" before "auto- pilot“?
3.If we can say reach for habits, we can say reach for ideeals. I am afraid.
In fact ,let me quote : "Habits are a funny thing. We reach for them mindlessly, setting our brains on auto-pilot and..."from the China master research student examination paper in 2009.
Thanks a lot!

[Rover_KE]

It would have been useful to have that context in post #1 rather than #3.

Is it a quote from an examination question or from a student's answer?

For a start, 'Habits are a funny thing' is a dodgy sentence.

Rover

[notletrest]

It would have been useful to have that context in post #1 rather than #3.

Is it a quote from an examination question or from a student's answer?

For a start, 'Habits are a funny thing' is a dodgy sentence.

Rover

"It would have been useful to have that context in post #1 rather than #3." As for the sentence, I beg your pardon! I know its semantic meaning , through.
Of course, it is from an exam question,not an answer. How can I quote a student's answer as our discuss topic! By the way, I don't understand the meaning of "dodgy" here.
Thankds for your attentionj!

[5jj]

Of course, it is from an exam question,not an answer. How can I quote a student's answer as our discuss topic!

There is no 'of course' about it. Members frequently post students' answers so that we may discuss them.

[Barb_D]

If you are objectifying an abstract idea like a habit as though it were you favorite pair of sweat pants, I suppose you can "reach for them" as you would the sweats you tossed on the foot of your bed. Especially if you want to draw a contrast to the effort of trying something new.

However, I'm not sure I'd say it that way. You can reach for a familar behavior, but I"m still not sure you can "reach for" a habit.

[notletrest]

There is no 'of course' about it. Members frequently post students' answers so that we may discuss them.

In my original ,I should say as our discussion topic.
Thanks for your help.

[notletrest]

If you are objectifying an abstract idea like a habit as though it were you favorite pair of sweat pants, I suppose you can "reach for them" as you would the sweats you tossed on the foot of your bed. Especially if you want to draw a contrast to the effort of trying something new.

However, I'm not sure I'd say it that way. You can reach for a familar behavior, but I"m still not sure you can "reach for" a habit.

Let me quote the following for further discussion about to reach for：
“Reach v.t....to attain to (usu. with for or after):..." from <Chambers 20th Century Dictionary 1983>p.1075. My trouble is :
1. Would you give me two examples according to the dictionary, one without for, and the other with it.
2. If "reach" before for or after ,it shall be v,i. instead. Is the dictionary wrong here?
I am sorry to trouhle you!