press the flesh

Idioms and Phrases

Shake hands and mingle with people, especially when running for public office. For example, The candidate went through the crowd, pressing the flesh . [1920s]

Example Sentences

In what has become mythical, infamous campaign lore, Clinton never showed up to press the flesh in Michigan, the all-important swing state, in the 2016 race’s final days; she ended up losing to Donald Trump there by 10,000 votes, which secured his Electoral College victory.

From Slate

His absence — though he remains the overwhelming favorite with a double-digit lead in the state — flies in the face of the old political maxim that candidates must press the flesh to win the GOP’s kickoff nominating contest.

From Washington Times

Think of it as a politician hitting the campaign trail to press the flesh in search of cash and support, only not quite as sleazy.

From Los Angeles Times

In an interview before he left for France, Inslee said he had two missions in Paris: “to continue our leadership internationally in the development of sustainable aviation” and to “press the flesh and talk to potential investors in the state of Washington.”

From Seattle Times

Inside the church, as the crowd waits for Logan's casket to arrive, the Roys press the flesh.

From Salon