"reach out to something"?

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Mehrgan

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Hi,
Mostly, when we reach out to somebody we'd like to offer help or smething like that. What does reach out to something mean? Does it mean to go for/think of something for help? (Sort of the oppsite of reach out to somebody?)

Thanks a lot.
 

5jj

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What does reach out to something mean? Does it mean to go for/think of something for help? (Sort of the oppsite of reach out to somebody?)
We normally reach (out/up/down) for something - stretch out our hand to touch it or pick it up. We do this because we need it, but there is not necessarily any real idea of 'help'.
 

Mehrgan

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We normally reach (out/up/down) for something - stretch out our hand to touch it or pick it up. We do this because we need it, but there is not necessarily any real idea of 'help'.​


Thank you so much dear fivejedjon,
Here is the example from which I got the idea it'd mean to help:
She set up her charity to reach out to the thousands of homeless on the streets.

And this is the context in which reach out for something is given:

'Through the history of mankind, at certain times in life, we’ve had a human need to reach out to something greater than us, a need to put into words that which we cannot understand.'

Could you please tell me what the underlined section means?
Ta!
 

5jj

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And this is the context in which reach out for something is given:

'Through the history of mankind, at certain times in life, we’ve had a human need to reach out to something greater than us, a need to put into words that which we cannot understand.'!
In this sentence 'reach out to' has the meaning that you suggested in your first post. I had not thought of this use. I think it applies only to sentient beings; in your sentence, something greater than us could imply a deity.

Let's see what others think.
 

Tdol

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You could reach out to a company in trouble, though that does involve sentient beings.
 

karan_ck

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Hi everyone, I want to know "reach out to sth" in this sentence: "I research online and reach out to my personal network for recommendations on the best resources for improving that discipline or skill" is means???
I need it for my lesson.
Thanks so much if you can help me.
 

JTRiff

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not teacher

It does generally mean to offer aid, or to reach out for it yourself, as in that example. You can reach out to God, or to a spirit, or a friend, it means to seek something in very personal sense, - as well as the obvious 'reaching out to pick up a pencil.'
An alcoholic can reach out for help - it doesn't mean he holds out his hand for spare change, it means he is looking for assistance from anyone who will help.
 
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