meet someone where they are

English

Verb

meet someone where they are (third-person singular simple present meets someone where they are, present participle meeting someone where they are, simple past and past participle met someone where they were)

1. To approach a person in a way that suits them and takes into account their personal perspectives or skill level.

   Antonyms: impose, obtrude

   • 2015, Patricia Lustig, Strategic Foresight: Learning from the Future, page 171:

     I believe what helps a leader influence is being able to meet someone where they are at in order to communicate in a language that inspires a positive behaviour.

   • 2021, Chris Thomas, Chris Notes, page 53:

     It's the ultimate in unselfishness to meet someone where they are in hopes of helping them come to know Jesus. What about you? Are you willing to meet people where they are in order to share the truth of the Gospel?