reach past
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To put your arm around or beyond something or someone to grab something.
Literal meaning: To extend your arm in a direction that goes past or beyond an object or person.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
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."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
Primarily used in literal, physical contexts. Less commonly used figuratively. Often implies that something or someone is blocking direct access to what you want.
Commonly used with
someone obstacle barrier shelf row crowd
Forms
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
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Synonyms
reach over lean across stretch past extend past
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