touch grass

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/tʌtʃ ɡræs/
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To step away from an overly online state of mind and return to ordinary life.
Practice using touch grass in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • After his tenth furious post about the game, someone replied, "Please touch grass."
  • She told the trolls to touch grass and closed the app.
  • I know you mean well, but telling an upset person to touch grass can sound cruel.
  • He laughed at how seriously he had taken the meme and said he needed to touch grass.
  • Have you touched grass today, or are you still reading that endless comment thread?

Similar words

come back to reality
get a life
get some perspective
go outside
log off

Meanings

Get offline and regain perspective

internet culture
slang
To leave online arguments or obsessions behind and reconnect with ordinary life, usually said as a mocking or dismissive criticism that someone is too absorbed in the internet.

Examples

  • After his tenth furious post about the game, someone replied, "Please touch grass."
  • We have been arguing about fictional characters for an hour, so maybe we should all touch grass.
  • She told the trolls to touch grass and closed the app.
  • I know you mean well, but telling an upset person to touch grass can sound cruel.
  • Have you touched grass today, or are you still reading that endless comment thread?
  • He laughed at how seriously he had taken the meme and said he needed to touch grass.

Similar words

go outside
get a life
log off
get some perspective
come back to reality

Etymology

The image contrasts the physical act of touching outdoor grass with being absorbed in life on a screen. The exact origin is unknown, but online examples date to at least 2015, and the expression spread widely from 2019 onward.

FAQ

What does touch grass mean?

It means to get offline, return to ordinary life, and regain perspective.

Is touch grass an insult?

It often is a mocking or dismissive criticism of someone seen as too absorbed in online life.

Can touch grass be friendly?

Yes. Friends may use it jokingly about themselves or each other, but it can sound cruel during a serious conversation.

Where did touch grass come from?

Its exact origin is unknown. Online examples date to at least 2015, and it became much more widespread from 2019 onward.

What are phrases similar to touch grass?

Close alternatives include go outside, log off, get a life, and get some perspective.

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