Touch grass means to get off screens and back into the real world: go for a walk, spend time in nature, do something offline. Said about yourself, it's self-mocking: I need to touch grass. Telling someone else Go touch grass is a dig, hinting that they spend too much time online. In a letter, an essay or IELTS Speaking, say it neutrally: get some fresh air or spend more time outdoors.
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go (and) touch grass; need to touch (some) grass; touch grass + this weekend / for once
- I've been gaming since Friday night, I seriously need to touch some grass.
- You're arguing with strangers online at 3 am? Go touch grass, mate.
- Phones off this weekend, we're going hiking to touch grass for once.
What changed
First versionDear Dr Lee, I'm taking the weekend off to touch grass, so I'll reply on Monday.
RevisionDear Dr Lee, I'm taking the weekend off to rest, so I'll reply on Monday.
The email is addressed to a lecturer, and touch grass is internet slang that sounds flippant in formal correspondence. The neutral to rest says the same thing: you'll be away for the weekend and will reply on Monday.
Don't confuse it with touch base, meaning to get in touch briefly to discuss something. That's an expression from work emails: Let's touch base on Monday about the budget. In an email like that, touch grass would read as a joke telling someone to go outside.
Your turn
You've spent the whole weekend arguing on forums. Close the laptop and go ___.
Show the answer
touch grass — The person has spent the whole weekend arguing on forums, and the advice is to close the laptop and go offline: go touch grass. Touch base means to get in touch about work, but here the suggestion is the opposite: take a break from online conversations.
Write to a friend that you're going to take a break from screens. Say when it will be and what you'll do instead of using your phone.
I'm going to touch grass this Saturday: no phone, just a long bike ride along the river.
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