touch grass
/tʌtʃ ɡræs/
Meaning
This expression is used to tell someone to go outside, step away from the internet, and reconnect with the real world. It is typically used when someone is acting overly obsessed, angry, or disconnected from reality due to spending too much time online. The tone can range from lighthearted teasing to mildly insulting depending on the context.
Examples
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You've been arguing on Twitter for six hours; you seriously need to touch grass.
You've been arguing on Twitter for six hours; you seriously need to touch grass.
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He is so obsessed with video game stats that I told him to go touch grass.
He is so obsessed with video game stats that I told him to go touch grass.
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Sometimes I have to force myself to shut down my laptop and touch grass for a bit.
Sometimes I have to force myself to shut down my laptop and touch grass for a bit.
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Her comments are so out of touch with reality; she really needs to touch grass.
Her comments are so out of touch with reality; she really needs to touch grass.
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After a long week of remote work, I spent the weekend offline just touching grass.
After a long week of remote work, I spent the weekend offline just touching grass.
Common Mistakes
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✗ I went to touch grass in the park yesterday.
✓ I went to get some fresh air in the park yesterday.
'Touch grass' is an idiomatic slang expression about escaping online obsession. Using it literally to mean just enjoying nature sounds unnatural.
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✗ He needs to touch the grass.
✓ He needs to touch grass.
The idiom is fixed. Adding the article 'the' makes it sound literal rather than like the slang expression.
Related Expressions
Practice
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You've been playing video games all weekend. Go ___!
💡 Tell them to go outside and reconnect with reality.
Show answer
touch grass
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Sometimes social media gets so toxic that you just need to turn off your phone and ___.
💡 Go outside and touch the ground.
Show answer
touch grass