reach

Everyday

1. To reach is to get to a place: the train reached the city. tree →
2. To reach is to stretch your arm to touch or take something. tree →
3. If you reach a goal or an amount, you get there: reach 100 points. tree →
4. To reach someone is to contact them, like by phone. tree →
5. Your reach is how far you can stretch; «out of reach» means too far to touch. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a goal or end amount: to reach 100 points, reach the top, reach a town; often asks how much more is needed. In everyday life and safety: keep medicines out of reach of children; reaching a shelf. In science: light from the Sun takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth. In stories: «reach for the stars».

Examples

• She needs 20 more points to reach 100. tree →
• The train reached the city after 3 hours. tree →
• How many more steps to reach the top? tree →
• He saved until he reached $50. tree →
• I can't reach the top shelf. tree →
• Keep medicines out of reach of children. tree →
• Sunlight takes about 8 minutes to reach Earth. tree →
• I tried to reach Grandma by phone. tree →
• Reach for the stars! tree →
• At last he reached the place. tree →

Note

«How much more to reach X» means X minus what you have now. Trap: the number after «reach» is the end amount, not the amount to add. «Reach» needs no «to» before the place: «reach the city», not «reach to the city». Past: reached.

In Jewish tradition

In Joshua, a tribe's border reached to Carmel. In Job, a proud man's head reaches the clouds. In Proverbs, stripes reach the inward parts, meaning that hard correction goes deep.

Interpretation. The altar grating reached halfway up, and the priests' breeches reached to the thighs. The tradition reads Job as a picture of human pride that still ends in a fall.

Examples

• And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar. (Torah EXO.27.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• And he made for the altar a grating of network of brass, under the ledge round it beneath, reaching halfway up. (Torah EXO.38.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach. (Torah EXO.28.42, JPS 1917) tree →
• Sharp wounds cleanse away evil; so do stripes that reach the inward parts. (Writings PRO.20.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• and Allam-melech, and Amad, and Mishal; and it reached to Carmel westward, and to Shihor-libnath. (Prophets JOS.19.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• Though his excellency mount up to the heavens, and his head reach unto the clouds; (Writings JOB.20.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«How much more to reach X» means X minus what you have now. Trap: the number after «reach» is the end amount, not the amount to add. «Reach» needs no «to» before the place: «reach the city», not «reach to the city». Past: reached.