Out-of-touch
Describes a person or group who is unaware of current trends, realities, or the needs and perspectives of others, especially those they are supposed to represent or understand. This lack of awareness can stem from isolation, a disconnect from everyday life, or a reliance on outdated information. It often results in actions, statements, or policies that are perceived as irrelevant, insensitive, or ineffective in the given context. The term implies a significant gap between understanding and reality, leading to misjudgments and a failure to connect with the broader population or target audience. An out-of-touch individual often exhibits a lack of empathy or an inability to relate to the experiences of others.
Out-of-touch meaning with examples
- The CEO's decision to eliminate remote work, despite employee surveys showing overwhelming preference for it, demonstrated that he was out-of-touch with the evolving needs and expectations of his workforce. His actions created resentment and led to decreased morale. Ultimately, this hampered productivity and fueled negative publicity for the company.
- Political analysts criticized the politician’s campaign strategy, claiming she was out-of-touch with the concerns of ordinary voters. Her focus on abstract policy debates rather than concrete issues like rising cost of living and healthcare left her vulnerable to criticism and ultimately, the outcome of the election.
- The marketing team’s proposal to promote a luxury product using language and imagery that resonated with an affluent demographic, but alienated average consumers, showed they were sadly out-of-touch with their target market. Sales stagnated when they failed to realize a need to revise the campaign.
- Critics of the education system often argue that standardized tests and curricula are out-of-touch with the real-world skills that students need to succeed in the modern job market. This misalignment often results in students feeling unengaged, and a perceived lack of preparedness for their professional careers.
