touch base

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian Unknown Neutral

Meaning: make brief contact

简短联络一下
Ponerse en contacto brevemente.
簡単に連絡を取る
간단히 연락하다

To make contact briefly, usually to update or check in. From baseball where runners touch bases.

简短地联系,通常是为了更新进展或确认情况。源自棒球中跑垒员触碰垒包。
Contactar de forma breve, normalmente para informar o hacer un seguimiento. Proviene del béisbol, donde los corredores tocan las bases.
通常は進捗確認や状況報告のために短い連絡を取ること。野球で走者がベースに触れることに由来。
간략하게 연락하여 근황을 확인하거나 업데이트하는 것. 야구에서 주자가 베이스를 밟는 데서 유래.

Examples

  1. Let's touch base next week about the project.
    下周我们就项目的事联系一下吧。
    Hablemos la semana que viene sobre el proyecto.
    来週プロジェクトの件で連絡しよう。
    다음 주에 프로젝트 건으로 연락하자.
  2. I'll touch base with the client tomorrow.
    我明天和客户联络一下。
    Mañana contactaré brevemente con el cliente.
    明日クライアントに連絡する。
    내일 고객에게 연락할게.
  3. We should touch base before the meeting.
    会议前我们应该先沟通一下。
    Deberíamos hablar antes de la reunión.
    会議の前に一度連絡を取り合おう。
    회의 전에 한번 연락해야겠다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: business, professional

Tone: professional

✓ Do Say

  • Arrange brief contact
    安排简短联络
    Organizar un contacto breve
    短い連絡を手配する
    간단한 연락을 잡을 때

✗ Don't Say

  • Often considered corporate jargon
    常被视为商务行话
    A menudo se considera jerga corporativa
    ビジネス用語として敬遠されることが多い
    기업 전문용어로 여겨지는 경우가 많음

Origin & History

From baseball - runners must touch each base as they advance. Extended to mean making contact points.

Cultural Context

Era: modern

Generation: working age

Social background: professional

More From This Topic

Kick off ★★★★★ To start something; also to become angry (British). Throw in the towel ★★★★★ To give up or admit defeat. Touch base ★★★★★ To make brief contact with someone. Drop the ball ★★★★★ To make a mistake or fail to do something. Game plan ★★★★★ A strategy or plan of action. Par for the course ★★★★★ Normal or expected; typical for the situation.
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