hustings

take to the hustings

To campaign, with an emphasis on delivering political speeches. A "hustings" was the platform on which candidates were nominated to British Parliament through the mid-19th century. If you want to be voted onto city council, you need to take to the hustings and talk to the people.
See also: hustings, take
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

on the hustings

Campaigning for office. The noun hustings comes from the Old Norse husthing, for house assembly, which meant a council held by a king or other leader that included his immediate followers (rather than a large assembly of the people). In England husting became a court of law, specifically the highest court of the City of London. Eventually it was transferred, in the plural, to the platform where the city officials sat, and later still to the platform from which candidates for Parliament were nominated. From this last sense came its current meaning of the candidates’ platform for campaign speeches, or simply campaigning. A synonymous phrase with a far simpler history is on the stump. An Americanism dating from the 1700s, it alludes to a tree stump used as a platform by a frontiersman making a speech.
See also: hustings, on
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • take to the hustings
  • take to the stump
  • stump for
  • stump for (one)
  • emphasis
  • lay emphasis on
  • lay emphasis on (something)
  • on the hustings
  • don't kill the messenger
  • don't shoot the messenger
References in periodicals archive
| Boris Johnson at yesterday's hustings at Carlisle Racecourse
Boris bashes 'anti-Brexit' Beeb
But if we can't handle it with friends, we won't deserve to lead against our opponents," Hunt said in a letter to Johnson before the hustings. "If you want the job, you have to turn up for the interviews."
UK PM favorite Johnson reiterates desire for October 31 Brexit
Boris Johnson leaves a building to head for the hustings
Boris Johnson avoids question about domestic with partner 5 TIMES at hustings; Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt answered questions in Birmingham as they continue to duel to become leader of the Conservative Party
Now imagine a similar TV leadership hustings for the opposition party: what unity of approach would emerge were the five contenders on the TV bar stools to be Jeremy Corbyn, deputy leader Tom Watson, the shadow chancellor John McDonnell, Sir Keir Starmer and shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott?
Brexit: Why Boris Johnson won't last long as Prime Minister -- Bill Jamieson
Mr Gove said the hustings without him was like "Hamlet without the Prince".
Tory leadership rivals opposed to IndyRef2; ? Gove and Hunt rule out giving Sturgeon their permission to 'break up the Union'
But Labour said later: "This is standard procedure for any internal selection hustings in the Labour Party.
Labour leadership race branded farce as 'hot' hustings questions are banned
So, did James Morris vote with his conscience as he claimed he would do at the hustings? If he did so, one can only conclude he is morally bankrupt.
MP and a question of conscience; Letters
He said: "The hustings was organised by Labour supporters and I don't attend hustings events organised by opposition party supporters.
Candidate defends debate no-show
Huddersfield Conservative candidate Scott Benton was missing from the Huddersfield hustings while Theresa May was noticeably absent from the BBC programme.
We say..
There will also be televised hustings on the BBC, Sky, ITV and Channel 4.
Hustings to be held in Cardiff
The open hustings takes place just days before the key vote and will give an opportunity to ask how the leadership hopefuls would approach issues like children's services, education and looming fears of Government intervention.
5 would-be leaders set for Mail hustings
Liverpool-born Andy Burnham gave a strong performance in the hustings at Parr Hall but saw continued support for emerging front-runner and left wing candidate Jeremy Corbyn.
BATTLE OF HUSTINGS FOR LABOUR LEADER; No home advantage for Burnham in head-to-head
Teesside residents complained after the other candidates sent representatives to the event, which was scheduled just after a party hustings in Newcastle.
Andy Burnham under fire after 'breaking agreement' with leadership rivals over Boro hustings; Labour leadership favourite was the only one to turn up for Middlesbrough event, but campaigns chiefs say he went behind fellow candidates' backs
LABOUR MPs vying to be the party's next leader set out their stall at a hustings in Newcastle.
I will take on those Bullingdon boys... and beat them
A hustings event, involving the candidates bidding to succeed Ed Miliband, will be filmed by the BBC in the town, at a location still to be confirmed, on June 17.
Nuneaton to host first round in Labour leadership battle