So you can, for example, say it to a friend who defeats your argument – usually using your own logic against you. In a formal, academic debate, it would be considered too humorous and informal. Even though the term originally came from fencing, nowadays it is used more frequently in arguments, usually in informal contexts. Now, we know that context is essential in understanding language. When the player's sword hits the body of their opponent, the word 'touché!' is cried, which means, literally, 'I am touched!' In this context, though, it has the sense of 'I am hit!' or, essentially, 'You win!'

It is the past participle of the verb toucher (to touch), so 'touché' actually means, literally 'touched'.īut what does it mean? The word comes from fencing. ( used as an interjection) to touch something made of wood superstitiously, in order to avoid bad luck.'Touché' is actually a French word. (= communication) to be in (constant) touch with somebody → mit jdm in (ständiger) Verbindung stehen they were in touch with us yesterday → sie haben sich gestern mit uns in Verbindung gesetzt to be/keep in touch with (political) developments → (politisch) auf dem Laufenden sein/ bleiben I’ll be in touch! → ich lasse von mir hören!, ich melde mich! keep in touch! → lass wieder einmal von dir hören! to be out of touch with somebody → keine Verbindung mehr zu jdm haben to be completely out of touch (with something) (→ in Bezug auf etw acc) → überhaupt nicht auf dem Laufenden sein you can get in touch with me at this number → Sie können mich unter dieser Nummer erreichen you ought to get in touch with the police → Sie sollten sich mit der Polizei in Verbindung setzen to lose touch (with somebody) → den Kontakt (zu jdm) verlieren to lose touch (with something) (→ in Bezug auf etw acc) → nicht mehr auf dem Laufenden sein a husband and wife who have lost touch with each other → ein Ehepaar, das sich fremd geworden ist or sich entfremdet hat I’ll put you in touch with Mr Brown → ich werde Sie mit Herrn Brown in Verbindung bringen To put sb in touch with sb → poner a algn en contacto con algn I'm out of touch with the latest political developments → no estoy al corriente de los últimos acontecimientos políticos The Prime Minister was completely out of touch → el Primer Ministro no estaba al corriente de nada To be out of touch → no estar al corriente The party has lost touch with the voters → el partido está desconectado de los votantes I lost touch with her after she moved to London → perdí el contacto con ella después de que se mudara a Londres To lose touch (with sth/sb) → perder el contacto (con algo/algn) Well, keep in touch! → ¡bueno, no pierdas contacto!, ¡bueno, no dejes de llamar o escribir! To keep in touch (with sb) → mantener el contacto (con algn) Get in touch with your emotions → conecte con sus emociones To get in touch (with sb) → ponerse en contacto (con algn) I'll be in touch ( writing) → te escribiré ( phoning) → te llamaré We are still in touch → todavía estamos en contacto To be in touch (with sb) → estar en contacto (con algn) Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012 touch

Touche definition