cheek by jowl

1. Situated side by side or in close contact: “The commuters were packed in the subway cheek by jowl.”

Idioms and Phrases

Side by side, close together, as in In that crowded subway car we stood cheek by jowl, virtually holding one another up . This term dates from the 16th century, when it replaced cheek by cheek .

Example Sentences

This would be cheek-by-jowl with a bet that an heir would be born to one new-married pair before another pair.

From Project Gutenberg

Though welcomed by the peer, they showed no signs of superciliousness when they found themselves cheek-by-jowl with the pauper.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us show her an example of humility, sister, though we have been sitting cheek-by-jowl in such company.'

From Project Gutenberg

He crawled in upon all-fours, and soon found himself cheek-by-jowl with a pair of young eagles!

From Project Gutenberg

They were no doubt sitting cheek-by-jowl when pussy made the spring.

From Project Gutenberg