1 A2 neutral
To extend your arm or hand downward in order to touch, pick up, or grab something.
"She reached down and picked up the coin that had rolled under the table."
inseparable
reach down
A2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To extend your arm or hand downward to touch or grasp something below you.
In plain English
To put your arm or hand down lower to get or touch something.
What does "reach down" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To extend downward in length to a particular point (used of clothing, hair, or objects).
"His coat reached down to his ankles, making him look very dramatic."
inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic formal
Figuratively, to connect with or help people at a lower social, professional, or emotional level.
"A great leader must be willing to reach down and support those at the bottom of the organisation."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To physically extend your arm or body in a downward direction to touch something.
Actually means
To put your arm or hand down lower to get or touch something.
Usage tip
Used very literally. Also used figuratively to mean helping someone in a lower position or extending effort downward in a hierarchy. Common in physical descriptions and instructions.
Words that pair with "reach down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
floor ground pocket bag shelf drawer
How to conjugate "reach down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
reach down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reaches down
he/she/it
Past simple
reached down
yesterday
Past participle
reached down
have + pp
-ing form
reaching down
continuous
Hear "reach down" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "reach down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "reach down"
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Keep exploring
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