🗓️ Idiom: Press the Flesh (v)
💬 Meaning
- To meet and greet people in person, often by shaking hands and making direct personal contact.
- This idiom is commonly used in political, business, or networking contexts to describe efforts to build rapport through face-to-face interaction.
🧠 Example Sentences
- The politician spent hours pressing the flesh at the campaign rally.
- Startup founders often press the flesh at industry events to find new investors.
- She’s great at pressing the flesh and making everyone feel heard.
🏛️ Origin
This idiom’s origin is specifically linked to political campaigning in the early to mid-20th century. Politicians, aiming to connect with voters, would physically move through crowds, shaking hands with as many individuals as possible.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
The sales team hit the road to __________ with new clients and strengthen relationships.
Answer
press the flesh
2. Choose the correct meaning of “press the flesh”:
A) To lift weights for exercise
B) To interact face-to-face, especially by shaking hands
C) To avoid personal contact
Answer
B) To interact face-to-face, especially by shaking hands
3. Change the sentence using: Press the Flesh
“The CEO attended the networking event to meet people and make connections.”
Answer
The CEO attended the networking event to press the flesh.
ℹ️ Other Useful Pages
👉 Relationship and Networking Idioms
👉 Business English Idioms List
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Rob is a CELTA qualified English teacher with 15 years of international experience. He has a BSc and PGDip from Loughborough and St Andrews universities in the UK. He has taught in Thailand and Saudi Arabia and now works with professionals worldwide.
