Out of Touch – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever met someone who didn’t understand modern technology, gave advice that felt outdated, or seemed unaware of how people really feel today? In English, we might say they’re out of touch. This useful phrase describes someone who’s disconnected from current trends, public opinion, or everyday reality—and it’s often used in conversations about leaders, parents, or even old-fashioned ideas.
What Does “Out of Touch” Mean?
“Out of touch” means not aware of or in sync with current attitudes, trends, emotions, or real-life situations. It suggests someone is disconnected—maybe because they’re too far removed from ordinary experiences, stuck in the past, or insulated from feedback. Think of it like having a phone with no signal: the person isn’t receiving what’s happening around them.
When to Use It
Use “out of touch” in neutral or critical discussions:
• When talking about leaders or celebrities: “Politicians seem out of touch with regular people.”
• When describing outdated views: “His fashion advice is so out of touch!”
• When someone misunderstands a situation: “If you think rent is cheap, you’re out of touch.”
It’s common in news, social commentary, and casual chats—but it can sound judgmental, so use it thoughtfully.
Example Sentences
- After ten years abroad, she felt out of touch with local slang.
- That ad campaign was canceled—it was completely out of touch with customers.
- My grandpa isn’t out of touch at all! He uses TikTok better than I do.
- How can they raise prices again? They’re totally out of touch with how hard life is right now.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “The CEO said we don’t need remote work anymore.”
Jamie: “Seriously? He’s so out of touch. Half the team moved cities during the pandemic!”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t use “out of touch” to mean “not in contact” with someone—that’s a different idea. If you haven’t spoken to a friend in months, you’re “out of contact,” not “out of touch.” Also, avoid using it as a verb phrase—it’s always an adjective (e.g., “He is out of touch,” not “He out of touched”).
❌ Don’t say: “I’m out of touch with my cousin.” (If you mean you haven’t talked—say “We’ve lost touch.”)
✅ Do say: “His ideas about work are out of touch with reality.”
✅ Do say: “That movie feels out of touch with today’s youth.”
Practice Tip
Notice when someone says something that feels outdated or disconnected. Instead of saying “That’s weird,” try: “That seems out of touch.” Using the phrase in real observations helps you master its tone and timing.
Final Note
Now you can use “out of touch” to describe disconnect between people and reality—with precision and awareness. It’s a phrase full of social insight, used often in media and daily talk. Keep listening for it in news, shows, or debates. Every time you hear it, you’re tuning into how people judge relevance and connection in English. Keep going—you’re learning more than words!