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 • Feb. 9, 2026

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 • Jan. 26, 2026

On Thursday, he’ll rub elbows with voters at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester, New Hampshire, which is a must-stop for candidates circulating through the first-in-the-nation primary state.

From Washington Times • Apr. 11, 2023

There, young students could rub elbows with renowned scientists at work and be inspired by science, particularly astronomy.

From New York Times • Oct. 28, 2022

When forced to rub elbows with us boys, he put on superior airs.

From "The Shakespeare Stealer" by Gary L. Blackwood