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Everyday Life - Communication

Explore English idioms that relate to communication, including "on the line" and "lose touch".

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English idioms related to Everyday Life
to [be|get|stay] in touch

to be in contact with someone, particularly by seeing or writing to them regularly

Ex: Let's stay in touch after graduation. 
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to [get] hold of {sb}

to manage to meet someone in person or contact them on a telephone, through message, etc.

Ex: I tried to get hold of Sarah, but her phone was off. 
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to [drop] {sb} a line

to contact a person with a brief message, phone call, or letter

Ex: Drop me a line soon. 
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on the line
on the line
[phrase]

used for saying that someone is waiting or talking on a telephone

Ex: Mr. Wilson is on the line for you. 
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on hold
on hold
[phrase]

waiting on the phone until the receiver speaks

Ex: I was on hold for ten minutes. 
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over and out
over and out
[interjection]

said in a radio communication to indicate that the conversation is over

Ex: The pilot said over and out before switching channels. 
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to [cross] {one's} [path]

to unexpectedly encounter or meet someone or something, often with significant consequences

Ex: I never thought she would cross my path again. 
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to [put] {sb} in touch with {sb}

to provide someone with the contact information of another person such as their phone number, E-mail, or address

Ex: Can you put me in touch with your lawyer? 
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to {not} [see|find] hide nor hair of {sb/sth}

to have not seen or heard about a person or thing for a considerable amount of time

Ex: I haven't seen hide nor hair of Tom all week. 
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to [lose] touch

to be no longer in contact with a friend or acquaintance

Ex: We lost touch after college, but I still think about her sometimes. 
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to [keep|hold] {sb/sth} at arm's (length|distance)

to not form a friendly relationship with a person or avoid getting involved with something

Ex: She keeps most of her colleagues at arm's length and rarely talks about her personal life. 
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to {not} [know|recognize] {sb} from Adam

to fail to recognize someone as one has never met them or knows nothing about them

Ex: Why would I lend him money?  I don't know him from Adam. 
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to [touch] base (with|)

to make contact with someone in order to exchange information or to consult with them

Ex: Let's touch base tomorrow after the meeting. 
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ships (that|) [pass] in the night

a situation where two people or groups cross paths briefly and then continue on their separate ways without any meaningful interaction or connection

Ex: We were ships passing in the night: same train, same stop, not a word exchanged. 
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under {one's} breath

in a very quiet voice that is difficult for others to hear

Ex: He muttered the answer under his breath. 
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at a loss for words

unable to speak because of shock, surprise, or strong emotion

Ex: She was at a loss for words after the announcement. 
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out of touch
out of touch
[phrase]

not having been in contact with someone and unaware of their current situation

Ex: I've been out of touch with Mia for years, so I don't know where she lives now. 
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