common touch, the

Idioms  

1. The ability to appeal to the ordinary person's sensibilities and interests. For example, The governor is an effective state leader who also happens to have the common touch. This phrase employs common in the sense of “everyday” or “ordinary.” [c. 1940]

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Example Sentences

Watching the scenes of the political FDR in action this past week in Ken Burns’ vital The Roosevelts, I kept thinking: where have I seen that happy policy warrior, the toss of a leonine head, that baronial ease in any group, that common touch, the easy confidence in pushing a progressive progressive agenda?

From Forbes

Analysts have said Mr Layton is seen as having the common touch, the kind of guy Canadians would want to have a beer with.

From BBC

The Common Touch The plump Empress Dowager Sadako of Japan, who used to be known as "the Mother of God," became a working woman of a sort.

From Time Magazine Archive