English idiom

rub shoulders

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to mix or spend time with people in a social or professional setting

Word picture

People are pictured standing close enough together for their shoulders to touch.

Example

“At the awards dinner, junior researchers rubbed shoulders with Nobel laureates.”

Dictionary details

Component words

rub

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

rub someone the wrong way

to irritate or offend a person, often without intending to

look the part

have the appearance or clothing expected for a particular role

call it a day

To decide to stop working on something for now.

cut loose

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

do the job

to be good enough to achieve the desired result

go bananas

to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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