keep in touch

You usually say it at the very end of a conversation. It works as a warm closing statement. You can use it as a command like Keep in touch! or a promise like I will keep in touch. It is very flexible with time. You can keep in touch once a week or once a year. Just don't wait ten years, or it becomes awkward!

Use it when a friend moves to a new city. Use it after a great business meeting with a potential partner. It is perfect for graduation day or your last day at a job. If you meet a cool person at a party, say it to show interest. It bridges the gap between 'stranger' and 'friend.'

Do not use it with people you see every single day. If you say it to your roommate while they go to the kitchen, they will think you are joking. Avoid using it if you actually want to be left alone. It is a social promise. If you say it and then block their number, that is considered quite rude!

This phrase comes from the idea of physical touch being the strongest connection. Before the internet, 'touch' meant writing letters or visiting. In Western culture, it is a polite way to end an encounter. Sometimes people say it just to be nice, even if they are busy. It is the 'social glue' of English-speaking countries.

You might hear Stay in touch which is almost identical. Let's keep in touch is a very common suggestion. In the digital age, people often say Hit me up (very informal) or Drop me a line. If you want to be more specific, say Let's grab coffee soon.