The Business Power of 'Let's Touch Base'

Ever wondered why business professionals say “let’s touch base” when they want to meet? This popular phrase comes from baseball, where runners must safely reach and touch each base before the fielding team can get them out. This fundamental rule of “touching base” – making contact with each base before the defense can make a play – is one of baseball’s core rules. In business English, the phrase captures this same idea of making necessary contact in a timely way.

The expression gained popularity in American offices during the 1980s, as baseball terms became a natural way to describe business activities. Like many sports metaphors in English, it’s part of a larger pattern of baseball terms that have become standard in business communication:

• “Ball park figure” – a rough estimate (like guessing the size of a baseball field)
• “Step up to the plate” – take on a responsibility (like a batter facing the pitcher)
• “Hit it out of the park” – do an exceptional job (like hitting a home run)
• “Curve ball” – unexpected challenge (like a tricky pitch)
• “Touch base” – quick check-in (like a runner connecting with each base)

These baseball expressions create a casual, team-oriented feeling in business conversations while clearly conveying meaning.

Today, “touch base” is essential business vocabulary. You might hear:
– “Let’s touch base tomorrow morning about the project.”
– “I’ll touch base with the client before sending the proposal.”
– “Can we touch base quickly before the meeting?”

When to use it:

✓ Informal business emails
✓ Team communication
✓ Quick follow-ups
✓ Project updates

When not to use it:

✗ Formal business documents
✗ Job applications
✗ Legal communication
✗ First contact with new clients

Pro tip:

This phrase is most natural when suggesting brief, informal communications. For more formal situations, use “schedule a meeting” or “discuss in detail.”

*Want to master more business English expressions? Book your free demo class with BasicEnglish.online today!*