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]
-
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.
As a precautionary measure, the teams did not shake hands after Thursday’s game.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Like schoolyard kids forced to shake hands after a nasty fight, Americans could use a healthy respect for good form, even at the risk of being hypocrites.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
The teams have declined to shake hands in recent international fixtures.
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
They turn and hug one another or shake hands when Jeffrey encourages them to meet their neighbors at different points in the show.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026
“This is Richard Churchill,” Susan would say and he would shake hands and quip, “No relation of Sir Winston’s, I’m afraid, or I might have turned out a little cleverer.”
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
