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

They touch base with mariners entering the Salish Sea and can share reports of whale sightings with the Cetacean Desk.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024

I sent my siblings a big long email and just reached out to touch base — at the encouragement of my sister, Jinger, actually.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 28, 2023

“Okay, hold that thought. We’ll touch base tomorrow.”

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli