expression, godan verb (-gu)
keep up acquaintance; stay in touch
Used when making an effort to maintain a personal connection, often by occasional meetings or messages, so that the relationship does not fade.
たまには顔をつなぐために、昔の同僚と食事に行く。
I occasionally go out to eat with former colleagues to keep up the acquaintance.
Standard kanji spelling.
Alternate kanji for つなぐ; both spellings are used.
連絡を取る is a more general 'get in touch', while 顔をつなぐ emphasizes preserving a personal relationship through face-to-face or direct contact.
The expression combines 顔 (face, personal presence) with つなぐ (to connect, to link), literally 'to connect faces', figuratively meaning to maintain a personal connection.