press the flesh

Idioms  

1. Shake hands and mingle with people, especially when running for public office. For example, The candidate went through the crowd, pressing the flesh. [1920s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

press the flesh

Think of it as a politician hitting the campaign trail to press the flesh in search of cash and support, only not quite as sleazy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 18, 2023

Inside the church, as the crowd waits for Logan's casket to arrive, the Roys press the flesh.

From Salon ● May 22, 2023

“But you can’t just mail it in. He’s going to have to press the flesh, roll his sleeves up, and get really serious.”

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 9, 2023

By genetic luck, the pretend heir to the British throne just had to turn up and press the flesh to collect a paycheck.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2018

“I cannot hold the shoulder and press the flesh there without making much pain, too much,” stated Valencia, “but it must come out, or there will be trouble.”

From The Treasure Trail A Romance of the Land of Gold and Sunshine by Robert Wesley Amick