To make contact with someone, typically to offer help, seek assistance, or establish communication; to extend oneself to connect with others.
While 'reach out' has existed as a literal phrase for centuries, its metaphorical use meaning 'to make contact' or 'to communicate' gained prominence in the 1960s during social movements emphasizing human connection. It was popularized further in business and therapeutic contexts in the 1980s-90s, eventually becoming standard corporate and casual communication language.
The phrase transforms a physical gesture into an emotional one - the act of extending your arm becomes extending yourself emotionally or professionally. It's gentler than 'contact' and more active than 'respond,' suggesting initiative and care. However, it's become so overused in business communication that it sometimes loses its original warmth.
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