shoulder to shoulder

Idioms  

1. In close proximity or cooperation, as in The volunteers worked shoulder to shoulder in the effort to rescue the miners. This expression originated in the late 1500s in the military, at first signifying troops in close formation. Its figurative use dates from the late 1800s.

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Example Sentences

“They were shoulder to shoulder, bellies to backs,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

"That is Brazil's place: as a key player in the security of the Americas, shoulder to shoulder with free and sovereign nations," he said.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Despite the absence of Manon, the girl group packed the festival field with Eyekons packed shoulder to shoulder as far as the Do Lab.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Alice & Bob now stands "shoulder to shoulder" with its US competitors, Peronnin says.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Men’s shirts hung shoulder to shoulder on wash lines strung between posts under the glaring sun.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• collectively
• in tandem
• jointly
• simultaneously
• together