rub shoulders with
idiom
informal
: to meet and talk with (someone) in a friendly way
The awards dinner gave me the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of today's greatest American poets.
Examples of rub shoulders with in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
C’est jolie to rub shoulders with the French elite on the sunny beaches of the Cote d’Azur, and molto bene to sip Negronis on Como, Menaggio, and Garda.
—
Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Several investors said the opportunity to rub shoulders with the commander-in-chief -- and, in some cases, promote their business before the most powerful man in the world -- was worth the price of admission.
—Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 22 May 2025
At the league meetings, Jones will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with owners and executives of all 32 teams which could allow for development in some of those trade conversations.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2025
More practically, spending time walking in public spaces allowed political leaders and would-be-leaders to rub shoulders with potential supporters.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rub shoulders with
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Michelle Tchea, Robb Report, 5 June 2025
Several investors said the opportunity to rub shoulders with the commander-in-chief -- and, in some cases, promote their business before the most powerful man in the world -- was worth the price of admission.
—Jay O'Brien, ABC News, 22 May 2025
At the league meetings, Jones will have the opportunity to rub shoulders with owners and executives of all 32 teams which could allow for development in some of those trade conversations.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Mar. 2025
More practically, spending time walking in public spaces allowed political leaders and would-be-leaders to rub shoulders with potential supporters.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 30 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for rub shoulders with
Cite this Entry
“Rub shoulders with.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rub%20shoulders%20with. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share