touch on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Mention a topic briefly
Why “on”? Eyes or thoughts reach one point and stay there.
“He touched on the issue briefly.”
“The report touched on how noise affects sleep.”
“Leo touched on delivery costs near the end of the office presentation.”
Common mistake
The report touched about the issue.
The report touched on the issue.
To mention briefly, use touch on.
Natural collocations
The word partners “touch on” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Touch on means mention a topic briefly. Touch up means improve something by making small changes.
Test yourself
“He touched on the issue briefly.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
touch up
A contrast learners often mix up
Improve something by making small changes
bear on
Same on pattern: attention
Be relevant or related to something
check on
Same on pattern: attention
Make sure someone or something is safe or all right
chew on
Same on pattern: attention
Think carefully about something for a while
dwell on
Same on pattern: attention
Spend too much time thinking or talking about something
focus on
Same on pattern: attention
Direct attention or effort on something
look on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch something happen without taking part; Regard or consider someone or something in a particular way
spy on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch someone secretly
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