- To make brief contact with someone, usually to check in, share quick updates, or reconnect after a period.
- Often implies a short, informal interaction.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from baseball, where a runner must touch each base in sequence to score.
- Metaphorically, touching base means making necessary contact or briefly checking in at a key point (like touching a base) before moving on.
- Popularized in business jargon in the mid-to-late 20th century but now used more broadly.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Check in.
- Sync up.
- Holler at me. / Hit me up. (Suggesting the *other* person initiate contact)
- Link up. (Often means meet up physically)
Milder/Standard:
- Let's connect.
- Can we speak briefly?
- Let's have a quick chat.
(No common vulgar alternatives for this specific meaning.)
Situational Appropriateness
- Common in business and professional settings.
- Also used informally among friends, though perhaps less frequently than check in or catch up.
- Some people find it slightly cliché or overly business-speak, but it's generally well-understood and accepted.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Mostly clear, but the expected duration might be ambiguous. Touching base usually implies brevity – non-native speakers shouldn't expect a long, in-depth meeting unless specified.
Examples
- Let's touch base next week to see how the project is progressing.
- I just wanted to touch base before I leave for vacation.
- Hey, haven't heard from you in a while. Just touching base.
Dialogue
Alex: Hey Jamie, do you have a minute?
Jamie: Not right now, I'm heading into a meeting. Can we touch base later this afternoon?
Alex: Sure, no problem. I'll swing by your desk around 3 PM?
Jamie: Perfect.
Social Media Examples
- LinkedIn Message: Hi [Connection Name], hope you're well. Let's touch base soon to discuss potential collaborations.
- Work Chat: Can everyone touch base on Slack tomorrow morning re: the client feedback? 10 min max.
- Email: Subject: Quick Touch Base? Hi team, Just wanted to touch base on action items from yesterday's meeting...
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Okay, sounds good. / Sure, let's do that.
- Scheduling: Okay, how about Tuesday morning? / Yes, please schedule a brief call.
- Acknowledgment: Okay, thanks for checking in.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After agreeing to touch base:
- Someone usually initiates scheduling the contact: What time works for you? / I'll send you a calendar invite.
- Clarifying the purpose: Okay, what specifically did you want to discuss?
The actual touching base involves a brief meeting, call, or message exchange.
Conversation Starter
- Yes, can be used to initiate contact, often suggesting a future interaction: Hi [Name], wanted to see if we could touch base sometime this week about [topic].
Intonation
- Usually said in a neutral, professional, or friendly tone.
- Emphasis often on touch. Let's TOUCH base.
Generation Differences
- More common among Gen X and Millennials who adopted it as standard business jargon. May be used less naturally by younger or much older generations, but generally understood.
Regional Variations
- Very common in American English, especially in corporate environments. Used in other regions but perhaps less pervasively.