base (redirected from getting to first base)

be off base (American & Australian)

to be wrong. The company chairman dismissed the experts' report as completely off base.

get to first base

1. to begin to have success with something that you want to do. They won't even get to first base with the directors with a proposal like that.

2. to get to the first stage of a sexual relationship, where partners kiss and touch each other. Jimmy hasn't even gotten to first base yet with his girlfriend.

See also: first

touch base

to talk to someone in order to find out how they are or what they think about something. I had a really good time in Paris. I touched base with some old friends and made a few new ones. (usually + with)

See also: touch

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get to first base

to begin to have success, esp. in the early stages of something. They won't even get to first base with the directors if they propose something like that.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of first base (= the first place a player must run to after hitting the ball in a game of baseball)

See also: first

off base

wrong. You're way off base if you think that teaching the basic skills is a waste of time.

touch base (with someone)

to talk briefly to someone. I'll touch base with him later today to tell him about the meeting.

See also: touch