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

Then again, they’re here aligned as champions of art, beauty and the press, standing shoulder to shoulder in the all-but-hopeless fight to protect Runway from the philistines.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

As the four replacement vehicles were delivered to Golders Green, the London Ambulance Service said it stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Hatzola.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

Dad’s head turned from shoulder to shoulder like the ticking second hand of the clock in the dining room.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• collectively
• in tandem
• jointly
• simultaneously
• together