rub shoulders
To associate closely; to socialize or mingle.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You can rub shoulders with famous people at this club.”
“The conference gave students a chance to rub shoulders with experts in their field.”
“During his time in the capital, he frequently rubbed shoulders with diplomats and politicians, hoping to secure a position in the new administration.”
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broad shoulders
the ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.
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chip on one's shoulder
A habitually combative attitude, usually because of a harbored grievance, a sense of inferiority, or a desire to prove something.
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cold shoulder
A deliberate act of disrespect; a slight or snub.
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dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants
One who discovers by building on previous discoveries.
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give someone the cold shoulder
To snub, resist or reject somebody; to regard somebody distantly.
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good head on one's shoulders
intelligent or shrewd; have good sense or judgement
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head and shoulders
To a considerable degree.
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look over one's shoulder
To check obsessively out of excessive caution or fear of a perceived danger.
Last updated August 10, 2026