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touch base

tʌtʃ beɪs

Business
informal
beginner
Literally:
Touching a baseball base

What does "touch base" mean?

  1. To make brief contact with someone
  2. To check in or communicate briefly

Examples

  • Let's touch base next week about the project.
  • I wanted to touch base with you before the meeting.
  • We should touch base more often.

Origin

From baseball—runners must touch bases as they run. Extended to mean making contact in business.

How to use it

Very common business jargon. Sometimes criticized as overused.

Similar expressions

check in
connect briefly
make contact
follow up

Opposites

lose touch
go silent

Related idioms

  • on the same page

    In agreement or having the same understanding

  • cut to the chase

    To get to the point without wasting time

  • hit the ground running

    To start a new job or activity with immediate effectiveness

  • in the loop

    Included in the flow of information

  • the bottom line

    The most important point or factor

  • get up to speed

    To become fully informed about a situation

Use it in a practice answer

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