reach back
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle back
Meanings
Extend memory or influence into the past
Why “back”? Something returns to an earlier state.
“Her interest in physics reaches back to childhood.”
“Their friendship reaches back to college.”
Don't confuse with
Reach back means extend memory or influence into the past. Reach out means contact someone, often to offer or request help.
Test yourself
“Her interest in physics reaches back to childhood.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
reach out
A contrast learners often mix up
Contact someone, often to offer or request help
bring back
Same back pattern: normal again
Return with someone or something to the original place; Cause memories to return to the mind; Reintroduce a custom, law or product
come back
Same back pattern: normal again
Return to a place; Become popular or fashionable again; Be remembered after being forgotten
date back
Same back pattern: normal again
Have origins from an earlier time
look back
Same back pattern: normal again
Think about events in the past
plough back
Same back pattern: normal again
Reinvest profits into a business rather than taking them as income
roll back
Same back pattern: normal again
Reverse a change or policy
take back
Same back pattern: normal again
Reclaim something you gave; Retract a statement; Carry something back to where it came from; Make someone remember a past time vividly; Re-employ or accept a person again
Practice “reach back” in Sink In
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