touch upon a subject

Meaning

To mention, discuss, or write about a topic briefly and without going into great detail. It is often used in meetings, presentations, or reports when introducing an idea that will be expanded on later or is secondary to the main topic.

Examples

• In today's presentation, I will touch upon a subject that concerns all of us: remote work.

  In today's presentation, I will touch upon a subject that concerns all of us: remote work.

• We only had time to touch upon the budget during the brief meeting.

  We only had time to touch upon the budget during the brief meeting.

• The keynote speaker touched upon several trends in artificial intelligence.

  The keynote speaker touched upon several trends in artificial intelligence.

• Before we finish, I want to touch upon the subject of employee retention.

  Before we finish, I want to touch upon the subject of employee retention.

• Although the report touches upon marketing strategies, it focuses mainly on product design.

  Although the report touches upon marketing strategies, it focuses mainly on product design.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The manager touched about the new policy during the call.

  ✓ The manager touched upon the new policy during the call.

  The phrasal verb is 'touch upon' or 'touch on', not 'touch about'.

• ✗ We need to touch up on the budget issues next week.

  ✓ We need to touch upon the budget issues next week.

  'Touch up on' is incorrect. 'Touch up' means to improve or repair something's appearance. Use 'touch upon' or 'touch on' to mean mentioning a topic.

Related Expressions

Practice

• During the introductory meeting, we will ___ of our upcoming merger.

  💡 Briefly mention the topic.

  Show answer

  touch upon the subject

• I would like to ___ of remote work policies before we adjourn.

  💡 Briefly discuss.

  Show answer

  touch upon the subject