Reach out: Difference between revisions

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An expression confected by the Americans as a way of saying “speak to” while conveying an insincere tone of compassion and self-sacrifice on the part of the person uttering it, as if the act of “reaching out” will magically gladden the reachee’s working day, and not compound {{sex|her}} already significant existential despair.
{{pe}}An expression confected by well-meaning [[management consultant]]s as a way of saying “speak to” while conveying an insincere tone of compassion and self-sacrifice on the part of the person uttering it, as if the act of “reaching out” will magically gladden the reachee’s working day, and not compound her already significant existential despair:


Fans of this expression should tread carefully: one can over-extend the {{tag|metaphor}}. An unfortunate lady [[managing director]] at Goldman once offered to “[[reach around]]” a group of operations personnel in London, and was surprised with the enthusiasm with which her offer was taken up.
:''“I will [[reach out]] to [[relevant]] team to complete the action points, prepare a final [[change management|change]] impact document, seek approval from entity responsible officer. From there, we’ll execute the task list. I will keep this group posted on the development.”''<ref>This is a real, unedited, example. No art could imitate life that exquisitely.</ref>
 
Users of this expression should tread carefully, as one can over-extend the [[metaphor]]. An unfortunate lady [[managing director]] in New York once offered to “[[reach around]]” a group of operations personnel in London, and was surprised with the enthusiasm with which her offer was taken up.


Dismaying variations:
Dismaying variations:
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*“[[reach out]] and [[connect with]]”
*“[[reach out]] and [[connect with]]”


{{c2|Egg|Buzzverb}}
{{ref}}

Latest revision as of 13:30, 14 August 2024

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An expression confected by well-meaning management consultants as a way of saying “speak to” while conveying an insincere tone of compassion and self-sacrifice on the part of the person uttering it, as if the act of “reaching out” will magically gladden the reachee’s working day, and not compound her already significant existential despair:

“I will reach out to relevant team to complete the action points, prepare a final change impact document, seek approval from entity responsible officer. From there, we’ll execute the task list. I will keep this group posted on the development.”[1]

Users of this expression should tread carefully, as one can over-extend the metaphor. An unfortunate lady managing director in New York once offered to “reach around” a group of operations personnel in London, and was surprised with the enthusiasm with which her offer was taken up.

Dismaying variations:

References

  1. ↑ This is a real, unedited, example. No art could imitate life that exquisitely.
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