shake hands
Idioms-
Also, shake someone's hand . Clasp another's hand in greeting, farewell, or congratulation or as a sign of friendship or goodwill. For example, Stop fighting, boys; shake hands and be done with it , or You won first prize? Let me shake your hand . [Early 1500s]
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shake hands on . Confirm a promise or bargain, as in We didn't sign a contract; we simply shook hands on our agreement . [Early 1900s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"They even shake hands with the settlers. It's like they're friends."
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, have walked the red carpet outside the Great Hall of the People to shake hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Several other cities have followed: Chengdu deployed a mixed squad of quadruped and humanoid robots, Shenzhen is testing humanoids that shake hands with passersby, and a Wenzhou model literally rolls.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 22, 2026
“Two coaches meet at half-court and they shake hands, correct? Ever see it? They announce it on the loudspeaker. I waited there for like three minutes.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 4, 2026
He’d pulled off his driving gloves to shake hands with Dad.
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
