Touch grass means to log off, go outside and reconnect with real life. People say it to someone who spends too much time online, or to themselves as a reminder to take a screen break. Dictionary.com defines it as “to go outside; enjoy nature.”

Where the phrase comes from and how it’s used

According to Merriam-Webster, “The first known use of touch grass was in 2016.” The image is literal. You’ve been inside so long that you’ve forgotten what grass feels like.

So what does touch grass mean in a real conversation? People use the phrase in three main ways:

  • In replies to heated arguments or bold opinions on social media platforms
  • In place of “calm down” or “take a seat”
  • In self-deprecating posts like “I need to touch grass” after a night of doomscrolling

Like lore, the phrase is part of shared internet culture. It lands because people know the feeling of being online too much.

The feeling shows up in survey data. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey of US teens found that “More than four-in-ten teens (45%) say they spend too much time on social media.”

Is touch grass rude?

It depends on the context and who says it. Between friends or aimed at yourself, it’s lighthearted. Aimed at a stranger in an argument, it’s a dismissive insult.

Merriam-Webster’s entry includes a usage example that frames being told to touch grass as an insult. Tone markers change how it reads. A laughing emoji from a friend reads as teasing, while the same words from a stranger read as harsh.

Good social media etiquette means weighing that context before you reply.

Should brands tell people to touch grass?

The phrase fits self-deprecating brand posts, community inside jokes and wellbeing moments. It reads as dismissive when a brand aims it at customers, and even more so when they have a complaint.

Align the phrase with your core brand voice and audience before hitting publish. For a deeper look at strategy, learn when brands should use internet slang.

Touch grass and social media manager burnout

According to The 2025 Sprout Social Index™, “94% of social media practitioners agree they have to be chronically online to work in social media.” Treat “touch grass” as a workflow reminder to log off. Learn how to spot and prevent social media manager burnout.

Don’t guess what your audience is saying—know for sure. Track how your community uses slang like “touch grass” with Sprout Social’s social listening tools. Request a demo today.