1 B1 neutral
To extend your arm beyond a person or object that is in your way in order to reach something behind or beyond it.
"He reached past her to grab the salt shaker at the far end of the table."
inseparable
reach past
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To extend your arm beyond a person or object in order to get something on the other side.
In plain English
To put your arm around or beyond something or someone to grab something.
What does "reach past" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To extend or go beyond a certain limit or boundary (figurative).
"His ambitions reached past the boundaries of what his small town could offer."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To extend your arm in a direction that goes past or beyond an object or person.
Actually means
To put your arm around or beyond something or someone to grab something.
Usage tip
Primarily used in literal, physical contexts. Less commonly used figuratively. Often implies that something or someone is blocking direct access to what you want.
Words that pair with "reach past"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
someone obstacle barrier shelf row crowd
How to conjugate "reach past"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
reach past
I/you/we/they
3rd person
reaches past
he/she/it
Past simple
reached past
yesterday
Past participle
reached past
have + pp
-ing form
reaching past
continuous
Hear "reach past" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "reach past" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "reach past"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
extend past lean across reach over stretch past
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