touch base

American  

[tuhch beys] / ˈtʌtʃ ˈbeɪs /

verb phrase

1. to communicate, make contact, or reconnect, especially quickly or briefly: It’s important to reach out to the client at least twice a year, just to touch base and update the account.

   They touched base with every political group on campus during the campaign season.

   It’s important to reach out to the client at least twice a year, just to touch base and update the account.

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Etymology

Origin of touch base

First recorded in 1875–80 as a baseball term, and in 1915–20 for current sense

Example Sentences

“It’s a lot easier for me to touch base with people who can get them on the phone and say, ‘50 wants to talk to you.’

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 14, 2025

While Whatsapp messages undoubtedly help us touch base and tell people we're thinking of them, she's found them a wholly "unsatisfactory" catch-up replacement during maternity leave.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2025

He says Davis encourages him to frequently touch base with businesses and developers so they have the tools to remain in the community for the long term.

From Seattle Times • May 6, 2023

Many of them aren’t in New York, so I touch base with them, show them the work, see how things are going, hear what their ideas are about it.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2022

“You do that. Then come back in the afternoon so we can touch base again.”

From "Lawn Boy Returns" by Gary Paulsen