The phrase ‘touch base’ is a common expression used in business and everyday conversations to refer to making contact with someone to exchange updates or confirm details. It originated from baseball, where players must touch each base to advance.
You’ll often hear someone ask to touch base in business contexts, meaning they want to quickly check in to make sure all parties are still aligned.
What is the Meaning of ‘Touch Base’?
In everyday conversation, but particularly in business contexts, “touch base” means to make contact with someone to exchange important updates or confirm details. For example, a manager might touch base with their team each week to ensure projects are moving forward smoothly.
So, touching base can be as simple as sending a quick message or having a brief call to check in and make sure all parties are on the same page. While common in the workplace, you can use the phrase in more casual environments as well.
Origins of the Phrase
The main theory is that “touch base” derives from baseball, where the concept of bases plays a central role in the game.
In baseball, a player must touch each base to advance and ultimately reach home base to score. The idea of “touching base” became a metaphor for making contact — as in the game, each base is a checkpoint that players must “touch” before moving forward.
Examples of ‘Touch Base’ in Everyday Conversation
Despite a distinctly athletic origin, touching base is also common in everyday scenarios where people want to stay in touch and keep communication open. Here are some examples of how it might come up in conversation:
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In the workplace: “Let’s touch base next week to go over our progress on the project.”
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Between friends: “I’ll touch base with you before the event to see what time you’re arriving.”
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In a group: “We should touch base with our members to confirm everyone is ready for the campaign kickoff.”
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Family communication: “I just wanted to touch base and see how your week has been.”
Alternatives to ‘Touch Base’
While “touch base” is common, it is corporate jargon that some might find off-putting. If you want to switch it up, here are some other options:
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Address
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Check in
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Inform
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Regroup
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Revisit
- howstuffworks.com | Why We Touch Base at Work and in Baseball
