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I would like to inquire about the following points related to "touch base":

  1. Is "touch base" an idiom?
  2. Is it formal or informal? For example, in a work environment when the boss say to his employee: I would like to touch base with you. In this case, is it formal or informal.
  3. Can it be used convey good news or bad new? For example:

The teacher would like to touch base with her students to reward him or punish him.

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From dictionary.cambridge.org, collinsdictionary.com and idioms.thefreedictionary.com:

  1. "Touch base (with someone)" is an idiom.
  2. It is Informal.
  3. I don't see any restriction for conveying good/bad news with it, So you can use it freely.
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  • Touch base is an expression rather than an idiom, thought to originate from baseball and meaning to get into contact . (Expression: A word of phrase: collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/expression) (Idiom: dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/idiom)
    – Ronald Sole
    Sep 6, 2018 at 15:56
  • @RonaldSole "Touch base" in its today usage is known as idiom and informal in most resources an dictionaries, I think what you say is possibly true but how about those resources?
    – CheckYourSec
    Sep 6, 2018 at 17:18
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    The distinction that was raised in comments is misleading. Idioms are expressions. Touch base is both an expression and an idiom.
    – Jason Bassford
    Sep 6, 2018 at 17:54
  • Touché! (Exclamation and expression!)
    – Ronald Sole
    Sep 6, 2018 at 18:52

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