The phrase "touch upon" is commonly used in English language to refer to briefly mentioning or discussing a subject. Its spelling follows the conventional rules of English orthography, with "touch" pronounced as /tʌtʃ/ and "upon" pronounced as /əˈpɒn/. The stress falls on the second syllable of "upon". The combination of a fricative /tʃ/ and a plosive /p/ may make the pronunciation of "touch upon" challenging for some non-native speakers, but with practice, it can become natural.
The phrase "touch upon" refers to briefly mentioning or discussing a particular topic or subject. This expression is often used when a speaker or writer wants to make a passing reference or allusion to a specific matter without going into great detail. When someone touches upon a topic, they may provide a basic overview or touch on the key points without elaborate explanation or analysis.
The term "touch upon" can be used in various contexts, including conversations, presentations, speeches, or written texts. It implies bringing up a subject superficially or fleetingly, without delving into the subject matter in depth. For example, during a lecture on a particular historical event, a speaker might touch upon the impact it had on society or briefly mention significant figures involved, without exploring the intricacies of the event. In a conversation, someone might touch upon an interesting fact or anecdote related to a recent movie they saw but not go into detailed analysis or review.
The phrase "touch upon" signifies a casual or cursory approach to discussing a subject rather than an in-depth examination or exploration. It indicates that the topic is mentioned only briefly, often with the intention of introducing or informing the listener or reader about it before moving on to other matters.
The word "touch upon" is a combination of two separate words: "touch" and "upon".
The word "touch" originated from the Old French word "touchier" and can be traced back to the Latin word "toccare", both of which mean "to touch or hit". The term gradually made its way into the English language, retaining its general sense of coming into physical contact with something or someone.
The word "upon" derives from the Old English word "uppan" or "ufan", which signifies "on", "on top of", or "in addition to". Over time, "upon" became a preposition indicating physical or metaphorical position, connection, or contact.
When used together, "touch upon" means briefly mentioning or bringing up a topic or subject during a conversation or discussion. The phrase implies making a passing reference or acknowledging something briefly without delving into extensive detail.