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press the flesh

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press the flesh

to meet and talk with people He believes he should get out and press the flesh if his campaign is going to succeed.

Etymology: based on the use of press the flesh to mean shake hands (to take someone's hand in yours as a greeting)

See also: flesh, press

press the flesh

  (mainly American humorous)

if politicians or famous people press the flesh, they shake hands with the public Even after 12 hours on the campaign trail, he was still meeting his supporters and pressing the flesh.

See hit the panic button, press the right button

See also: flesh, press

press the flesh

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

See also: flesh, press

press (the) flesh

tv. to shake hands. (see also flesh-presser.) He wanted to press the flesh, but I refused even to touch him.

See also: flesh, press

press the flesh

Informal

To shake hands and mingle with many people, especially while campaigning for public office.

See also: flesh, press