common touch: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal to semi-formal, journalistic, political discourse.
Quick answer
What does “common touch” mean?
The natural ability of a person, especially someone in a high position, to relate to ordinary people in a friendly and genuine way, showing understanding and interest in their lives and concerns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The natural ability of a person, especially someone in a high position, to relate to ordinary people in a friendly and genuine way, showing understanding and interest in their lives and concerns.
A quality of approachability and authenticity that bridges social, economic, or status divides, allowing someone to connect with a broad public and be perceived as 'one of us' rather than aloof or elitist.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties with essentially identical meaning. Slightly more frequent in British political commentary, especially regarding royalty or the 'old school' political class. In American English, often linked to populist political styles.
Connotations
In the UK, it can imply a pleasant surprise when displayed by those from privileged backgrounds (e.g., royalty). In the US, it's often a baseline expectation for successful politicians, with its absence being a notable flaw.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in political journalism in both regions. Lower frequency in everyday conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “common touch” in a Sentence
[Subject] + have/possess/demonstrate/lack + the common touch.It is [Subject]'s + common touch that + [clause].What [Subject] + has is + the common touch.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “common touch” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The prime minister common-touches his way through the crowd. (Very rare, non-standard)
American English
- You can't just common-touch the electorate; it has to be genuine. (Very rare, non-standard)
adverb
British English
- He spoke common-touchly to the farmers. (Extremely rare, non-standard)
American English
- She campaigned common-touchly across the state. (Extremely rare, non-standard)
adjective
British English
- He has a common-touch appeal. (Hyphenated attributive use, rare)
- Her common-touch manner is refreshing. (Hyphenated attributive use, rare)
American English
- It was a common-touch political strategy. (Hyphenated attributive use, rare)
- The candidate's common-touch image.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The new CEO's common touch, chatting with warehouse staff, boosted morale across the company.
Academic
The paper analysed the rhetorical construction of the 'common touch' in 20th-century political discourse.
Everyday
Everyone likes our local MP; she really has the common touch and remembers people's names.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields. Might appear in political science or leadership studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “common touch”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “common touch”
- Using it as an adjective, e.g., 'He is very common-touch.' (Incorrect). Correct: 'He has the common touch.'
- Using plural: 'common touches' is very rare and non-idiomatic.
- Confusing with 'Midas touch' (ability to make money).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost exclusively a compliment. It praises someone for not being snobbish despite their high status.
It is rarely used for non-famous people, as the phrase inherently contrasts high status with the ability to relate to 'common' people. If an ordinary person is very relatable, we'd use terms like 'down-to-earth' instead.
Charisma is a general magnetic charm or appeal that can be dazzling or elite. The 'common touch' is a specific type of charisma that is humble, approachable, and specifically connects with ordinary people.
It is a noun phrase. Use it with verbs like 'have', 'possess', 'show', 'demonstrate', or 'lack'. Example: 'She has the common touch.' It is not typically pluralised.
The natural ability of a person, especially someone in a high position, to relate to ordinary people in a friendly and genuine way, showing understanding and interest in their lives and concerns.
Common touch is usually formal to semi-formal, journalistic, political discourse. in register.
Common touch: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒm.ən ˈtʌtʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɑː.mən ˈtʌtʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be a man/woman of the people.”
- “To have one's feet on the ground.”
- “To not put on airs.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a KING (common) TOUCHING (touch) hands with villagers instead of just waving from a distance. The 'common touch' means being able to touch the lives of common people.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL CONNECTION IS PHYSICAL CONTACT (touch). STATUS IS VERTICAL DISTANCE (common = low, touch = bridging the gap).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'common touch' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?