press (the) flesh

press (the) flesh

To meet, talk to, and shake hands with many different people. Used especially in reference to a politician running for office. There's no way you'll win the election if you aren't out pressing the flesh among your constituents. I've always been something of a germophobe, so I don't like pressing flesh with strangers.
See also: flesh, press
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

press (the) flesh

Sl. to shake hands. Hey, chum! Glad to press flesh with you! He wanted to press the flesh, but I refused even to touch him.
See also: flesh, press
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

press the flesh

JOURNALISM
COMMON To press the flesh means to talk to people in a crowd and shake their hands. She was out and about all over Galway, pressing the flesh. Note: This expression is often used about politicians, who do this when they are trying to get elected.
See also: flesh, press
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

press (the) flesh

(of a celebrity or politician) greet people by shaking hands. informal, chiefly North American
2000 New Yorker Clinton seemed…a figure from the past—a politician made to press the flesh, to give speeches in large halls and negotiate with his opponents in small rooms.
See also: flesh, press
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌpress (the) ˈflesh

(of a famous person or a politician) shake hands with members of the public, especially in order to persuade them to vote for you: The presidential candidates were out on the streets again today, smiling for the cameras and pressing the flesh.
See also: flesh, press
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

press flesh

verb
See press the flesh
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
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

press the flesh

Informal
To shake hands and mingle with many people, especially while campaigning for public office.
See also: flesh, press
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • press flesh
  • press the flesh
  • presser
  • flesh-presser
  • press the flesh, to
  • shake hands with the unemployed
  • Shake it up!
  • shake up
  • shook up
  • shake (one's) booty