rub elbows with

Idioms  

1. Also, rub shoulders with. Mix or socialize with, as in There's nothing like rubbing elbows with the rich and famous, or At the reception diplomats were rubbing shoulders with heads of state. Both of these terms allude to being in close contact with someone. [Mid-1800s]

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Example Sentences

What thrilled him most was getting to rub elbows with other Hall of Famers such as Brian Boitano, Dorothy Hamill and Scott Hamilton.

From Los Angeles Times

The drinks don’t flow, members don’t rub elbows with notable people and chefs aren’t filling plates with tasty bites.

From The Wall Street Journal

In 2022, shortly after forming, the South Texas band showed up during the last Latin Grammys week held in Las Vegas, uninvited to any legitimate ceremony; it’s a common move by growing artists to get their name out there and possibly rub elbows with some of the biggest stars and producers in the Latin music world.

From Los Angeles Times

A person might also rub elbows with Laura Dern trying to find her seat, or watch “Hacks” star Hannah Einbinder wave to friends on her way down the aisle.

From Los Angeles Times

If one could rewind time and tell a then-17-year-old Judi Marmel that she’d someday rub elbows with and inspire some of the comedic greats, she might actually believe it.

From Los Angeles Times