touch base

T

touch base (idiom)
/tʌtʃ beɪs/

Meaning

• Make contact briefly to update or check in.
• Reach out to communicate or reconnect after a period of no interaction.
• Establish or maintain communication, especially to discuss something specific.
• Check in informally to ensure alignment or agreement.
• Follow up on a matter to confirm progress or status.
• Initiate a short discussion, often in a business or work setting.

Example Sentences

1. Let’s touch base next week about the marketing plan.
2. I’ll touch base with Sarah to see if she’s still joining us for dinner.
3. We need to touch base before the client presentation to go over our points.
4. Can you touch base with the vendor and confirm the delivery timeline?
5. I just wanted to touch base and see how you’re settling into the new role.
6. The team should touch base daily during the project’s launch week.

Origin and History

Baseball Roots: The Primary Theory

The idiom “touch base” is widely believed to have originated from the sport of baseball in the United States. In baseball, players must physically touch each base in sequence—first, second, third, and home plate—to score a run. Failing to touch a base can result in an out, emphasizing the importance of this action within the game. This literal requirement likely gave rise to the metaphorical use of “touch base,” signifying a brief check-in or communication to ensure alignment or progress

Earliest Recorded Usage

The earliest known printed usage of “touch base” in a baseball context dates back to 1896. In the book Baseball by Richard George Knowles and Richard Morton, the authors discuss the importance of a player touching base to be considered safe. However, the idiomatic use of “touch base” to mean making brief contact or communication appears to have emerged in the mid-20th century, particularly within business environments. This figurative sense was first recorded between 1915 and 1920.

Alternative Theories and Interpretations

While the baseball origin is the most widely accepted, some alternative theories have been proposed:

• Military Communication: One theory suggests that “touch base” may have military origins, where soldiers or units would “touch base” with their command center to report status or receive instructions.
• Hide and Seek Reference: An 1879 issue of Godey’s Lady’s Book Magazine describes a version of hide and seek where players must “touch base” to avoid being caught, indicating that the phrase was used in children’s games prior to its business jargon usage.

Adoption into Business Jargon

The transition of “touch base” from sports terminology to business jargon likely occurred in the mid-20th century. As corporate culture evolved, especially in the United States, sports metaphors became commonplace in business language. “Touch base” came to signify a brief meeting or communication to ensure all parties are aligned, much like a baseball player ensuring they are safe by touching the base.

Global Spread and Usage

Originating in the United States, the idiom “touch base” has since been adopted in various English-speaking countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In India, the phrase is commonly used in business and corporate settings, reflecting the global influence of American corporate culture.

Synonyms

1. check in
2. follow up
3. reconnect
4. reach out

About the Author

Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.

Business, Work