contact

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be in contact with (one)

To communicate with one. Has anyone been in contact with Grandma since the storm hit? Don't worry, I'll be in contact with you once I have some more information. Don't worry about missing the meeting, Tricia said she'd be in contact tomorrow to fill us in.

See also: contact

bring (someone or something) into contact with (someone or something)

1. To introduce someone to someone else so that they can communicate in the future. My best friend wants to get fit, so I brought her into contact with my personal trainer. On that random night, I had no idea my friend would be bringing me into contact with my future wife. Hey, if you're looking for a job in HR, let me bring you into contact with one of our recruiters.

2. To cause something to physically touch something else. This usage can refer to both people and things. Don't bring that wire into contact with this one! I start sneezing any time I am brought into contact with pollen. The test strip will turn pink when you bring it into contact with an acidic solution.

come in(to) contact

1. Literally, to touch someone or something. Jill got chicken pox too after coming in contact with her cousins while they were sick. Be careful not to come into contact with that plant—it's poison ivy. Ew, when did I come into contact with something sticky?

2. To encounter someone or something. I'd never come into contact with this theory before, but it's pretty interesting. I had been trying to avoid my math teacher, but then I came in contact with her in the cafeteria. My goodness, where did you come into contact with this rare version of The Wasteland?

contact with (one)

Communication with one. Has anyone had contact with Grandma since the storm hit? A: "Where's Joe? Has anyone talked to him?" B: "Oh, I made contact with Joe. He's currently stuck in traffic." Has anyone had contact with the ship? I'm worried it got blown off-course in this storm.

See also: contact

have contact with (one)

To communicate with one. Has anyone had contact with Grandma since the storm hit?

in contact with (one)

Communicating with one. Has anyone been in contact with Grandma since the storm hit? Don't worry, I'll be in contact with you once I have some more information.

See also: contact

keep in contact (with one)

To continue to communicate (with one) on a regular basis. Has anyone kept in contact with Jeff since high school? I have no idea what he's been up to the past few years. Don't worry, I'll keep in contact over the next few weeks to make sure you settle into the role all right.

lose contact (with one)

To unintentionally decrease frequency of communication (with one) over time until no further contact takes place. Unfortunately, my college roommate and I lost contact over the years, so I have no idea how she's doing now. I lost contact with Tina after she moved to Alaska. The last I heard, she was still living out there.

make contact with (someone or something)

1. To communicate with someone. Has anyone made contact with Grandma since the storm hit?

2. To touch someone or something. Be careful not to make contact with that plant—it's poison ivy. We have a massive leak because the construction crew made contact with a pipe while drilling in our basement.

3. To engage with an unknown entity for the first time. Do you think we'll ever make contact with intelligent life? The government strictly forbids anyone from making contact with the indigenous tribe.

no plan survives contact with the enemy

Military plans always need to be changed once they are enacted in real-life military situations. The saying emphasizes the need for flexibility, as opposed to strict adherence to strategy. It is attributed to Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, a 19th-century Prussian field marshal. Men, be ready to make changes on the battlefield—we all know that no plan survives contact with the enemy.

See also: contact, enemy, no, plan, survive

point of contact

A person or entity one can seek to access information or services. Our account manager Sarah will be your new point of contact moving forward if you need any information about your account. The consulate should be your first point of contact should you need any assistance during your travels.

bring someone or something into contact with someone or something

to cause things or people to touch or associate with one another. She hasn't been the same since I brought her into contact with the child who had chicken pox. Don't bring your hand in contact with the poison ivy. Don't bring him into contact with Fred.

come in(to) contact

(with someone or something)

1. Lit. to touch someone or something, probably unknowingly. How many people have come into contact with the sick man? He came in contact with almost no one.

2. Fig. to meet up with and learn about someone or something. Have you ever come into contact with trigonometry before? I have never come in contact with anything so difficult.

*contact with someone a link to someone

resulting in communication. (*Typically: be in ~; have ~; make~.) I have had no contact with Bill since he left town. Tom made contact with a known criminal last month.

in contact (with someone or something)

communicating with someone or a group; to share information with someone or a group. I have been in contact with our supplier, who will deliver the part next week. I am in contact with the Senate committee now.

See also: contact

lose contact with someone or something

and lose touch with someone or something

[for communication with someone or a group] to fail or fade away; to let one's friendship or relationship with someone or a group lapse. I hope I don't lose contact with you. I don't want to lose touch with my old friends.

ˌpoint of ˈcontact

a place where you go or a person that you speak to when you are dealing with an organization: The receptionist is the first point of contact most people have with the clinic.

lose ˈtouch/ˈcontact (with somebody/something)

not write/speak to somebody or not hear/read about somebody/something as you did in the past: She lost touch with most of her old friends when she moved to London.