Touch is an essential part of human interaction, conveying emotions and intentions in a way words often cannot. In English, numerous idioms describe various aspects of touch, each adding richness to our communication. Here are 20 idioms that vividly illustrate the nuances of touch.
1. Hands-on
Meaning: Practical involvement
Example: He took a hands-on approach to teaching.
2. Touch base
Meaning: Make contact
Example: Let’s touch base next week about the project.
3. Get in touch
Meaning: Communicate
Example: I’ll get in touch with you later.
4. Lose touch
Meaning: Fail to communicate
Example: They lost touch after college.
5. Out of touch
Meaning: Unaware
Example: He’s out of touch with current trends.
6. In touch
Meaning: Updated
Example: She’s always in touch with the latest news.
7. Touch a nerve
Meaning: Provoke a reaction
Example: Her comment touched a nerve.
8. Touch and go
Meaning: Uncertain situation
Example: It was touch and go for a while.
9. Touch up
Meaning: Improve slightly
Example: She touched up her makeup.
10. Light touch
Meaning: Gentle handling
Example: Use a light touch when dealing with fragile items.
11. Feel the pinch
Meaning: Experience hardship
Example: Many families are feeling the pinch of rising costs.
12. Brush off
Meaning: Dismiss
Example: He brushed off their concerns.
13. At your fingertips
Meaning: Easily accessible
Example: Information is now at your fingertips.
14. Hot on the heels
Meaning: Close pursuit
Example: The police were hot on the heels of the suspect.
15. Under your thumb
Meaning: Under control
Example: He kept his employees under his thumb.
16. Handle with kid gloves
Meaning: Treat gently
Example: He handles his customers with kid gloves.
17. Feel out
Meaning: Explore gently
Example: I need to feel out their opinion first.
18. Rub the wrong way
Meaning: Annoy
Example: His attitude rubs me the wrong way.
19. Hands-off
Meaning: Not interfering
Example: The manager took a hands-off approach.
20. Touch a chord
Meaning: Stir emotions
Example: The song touched a chord with many listeners.
