touch base

/ˌtʌtʃ ˈbeɪs/
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To make brief contact so people can share news or stay coordinated.

Examples

  • We have not touched base since the project began.
  • The team touches base every Friday, but the call rarely lasts long.
  • He said he would touch base later, which meant a quick update rather than a full discussion.
  • Could we touch base for ten minutes before you send the report?
  • I touched base with Maya to make sure the deadline had not changed.

Similar words

catch up
check in
reconnect
make contact
get in touch

Meanings

Make brief contact

communication
informal
To contact someone briefly, usually to exchange updates, check how things stand, or arrange what happens next.

Examples

  • Let's touch base tomorrow after the client meeting.
  • I touched base with Maya to make sure the deadline had not changed.
  • Could we touch base for ten minutes before you send the report?
  • We have not touched base since the project began.
  • The team touches base every Friday, but the call rarely lasts long.
  • He said he would touch base later, which meant a quick update rather than a full discussion.

Similar words

Etymology

The expression uses base in the sporting sense. It is widely linked to baseball, where a player must touch a base to be safe or complete a play, though the exact path to the modern meaning is uncertain.

FAQ

What does touch base mean?

Touch base means to contact someone briefly to exchange news, check progress, or arrange a next step.

Is touch base informal?

Yes. Touch base is informal and is very common in workplace conversation, email, and everyday speech.

Do you say touch base with or touch base on?

Use touch base with for the person and touch base on for the subject, as in “touch base with Ana on the budget.”

Is touch base the same as catch up?

They overlap, but catch up can mean a longer social conversation, while touch base usually suggests brief contact with a practical purpose.

Where does touch base come from?

The expression is widely linked to baseball, where players touch a base during play, but its exact route into the modern communication sense is uncertain.

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