Communication: English Vocabulary List

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

"Let's stay in touch after graduation."

"We promised to stay in touch after university by calling each other regularly and sending emails."

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

"I am trying to get hold of my doctor."

"I have been trying to get hold of my doctor all morning but his phone line is always busy."

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

"Drop me a line soon."

"When you arrive in Paris, drop me a line so I know you got there safely."

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

"Over and out. Talk later."

"The pilot confirmed the landing instructions and signed off with a clear, "Over and out.""

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

"I crossed her path at school."

"When I was walking through the park yesterday, I unexpectedly crossed the path of my old childhood friend."

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

"My doctor put me in touch with a specialist."

"Can you put me in touch with your lawyer because I need some legal advice about a contract."

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

"I haven't seen hide nor hair."

"After the move, we couldn't find hide nor hair of our favorite antique lamp for weeks."

to be no longer in contact with a friend or acquaintance

"We lost touch after college."

"After she moved to another country we lost touch and I have not heard from her for years."

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

"He keeps everyone at arm's length."

"After her last relationship ended badly, she decided to keep all new people at arm's length for a while."

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

"I don't know him."

"I didn't recognize her from Adam because she looked completely different now."

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

"Let's touch base soon."

"I'll touch base with you later this week to discuss the new proposal and gather your input."

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

"We were like ships that pass in the night."

"We met briefly at the conference but we were like ships that pass in the night and never saw each other again."

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

"She is on the line."

"Please hold for a moment, as the customer you are trying to reach is currently on the line."

waiting on the phone until the receiver speaks

"I am on hold."

"The customer service representative informed me that my call was on hold and would be answered shortly."

to be no longer in contact with a friend or acquaintance

"I lost touch with my friend."

"After moving abroad, they unfortunately began to lose touch with their old friends."

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

"He is out of touch."

"Having lived abroad for twenty years, he was completely out of touch with the political climate back home."