touch in base? shed some light? play by ear?

[Anonymous]

I have heard these terms but not sure their EXACT meanings and spellings.

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks!

[MikeNewYork]

I have heard these terms but not sure their EXACT meanings and spellings.

Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks!

1. touch base: to make contact, to check in with someone

I want to touch base with Jack before we decide.

2. shed light on: to illuminate, to explain

Hopefully, this new manual will shed some light on our problem.

3. play by ear: literal -- to play a musical instrument without reading music.

figurative -- to perform any task without the needed practice or preparation

My daughter can play the sonata by ear.
I haven't finished the report for the meeting so we'll play it by ear.

[Anonymous]

touch base? - to contact someone - usually for a specific reason - many times, though not always in a business context


shed some light? - to explain something - make something clear - to make something more understandable


play by ear? - to do something without a specific plan or idea of what you are going to do - or how you are going to do it