work the crowd

work the crowd

To excite or entertain an audience. Man, that singer sure knows how to work a crowd! They're going wild for him! The keynote speaker was late, so I had to work the crowd for a while to stall.
See also: crowd, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • whip into a state
  • show (one) a good time
  • show a good time
  • show someone a good time
  • inspire
  • inspire (someone) with (something)
  • inspire with
  • song and dance
  • song and dance, (to give someone) a
  • be in poor voice
References in periodicals archive
You can even hire your own bartender, especially one who knows how to work the crowd and entertain with flair bartending.
Luxury-in-privacy with the Malvenpick Hotel Colombo
The know exactly how to work the crowd, and while they played some of the more obscure Queen tracks, within no time they had everyone back up on their feet, singing and dancing almost of if it was the real thing on stage in Caerphilly.
A kind of magic in Caerphilly Workmen's Hall; REVIEW: The Bohemians, Caerphilly Workmen's Hall ???? ...
FANS FAVOURITE: Lead singer Brett Anderson can still work the crowd " Bassist Mat Osman continued: "That riff at the beginning, Richard (Oakes, guitarist) had it for along time - and the whole song is just built around it.
Blue is the colour for Londoners; Suede taking an Hour out to air their new album at Bord Gais Theatre
Hopefully myself and the high jumpers can put on a show and work the crowd."
Laura's let off the leash to go for World Indoor glory
Clearly a quick learner, during her first public walkabout in Nottingham withPrince Harry, not only did Meghan work the crowd like a pro, but she also politely told one couple "we're not allowed to do selfies."
All the times the royals did take selfies - even though they're 'not allowed to'; The Queen isn't a fan of them - but even she makes a cheeky appearance in one or two
With David's ability to sing, MC and work the crowd while DJing simultaneously, TS5 is a completely unique experience.
Makronisos gets its MC on
5 0 cent, aka Curtis Jackson, knows how to work the crowd and used his charm to cover some uncomfortable moments when he pounded the stage at the Metro Radio Arena.
Fiddy and the boys and a night of stops and starts; KATIE FEEHAN is In Da Club at the Metro Radio Arena Newcastle to review 50 Cent and the G-Unit Collective
50 cent, aka Curtis Jackson, knows how to work the crowd perfectly and used his charm to cover some uncomfortable moments when he pounded the stage at the Metro Radio Arena.
50 Cent at the Metro Radio Arena: Were fans happy to be In Da Club? There were boos as well as cheers for 50 Cent and the G-Unit Collective as they performed at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, writes Katie Feehan; There were boos as well as cheers for 50 Cent and the G-Unit Collective as they performed at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, writes Katie Feehan
Blending his art of storytelling with his quick Irish wit, New York emcee REDRUM knows how to work the crowd with his music speaking of life in the streets, survival and inspiration.
Rapper REDRUM Just Added to the January 23rd "The Writters Block" Concert Series
Like Less than Jake they know exactly how to work the crowd and they know exactly what the crowd want to hear.
Review
Dressed casually in a sleeveless button-down shirt and khaki shorts, Ayotte stopped with Romney for lemonade along the parade route and helped him work the crowd at the Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (N.H.) celebration.
Will '2nd Sarah Palin' Ayotte be Romney's Vice President pick?
Terrible name aside, their teen rock histrionics and their road crew's attempts to work the crowd into a pogo-ing frenzy may have been entertaining, but not quite what the Nottinghamshire quartet intended.
THAT SUNDAY FEELING; Cathouse, Glasgow, August 2
It's a mixed bag, but one that works well and allows him to change the pace and work the crowd, who appreciatively greeted every track.
Review; SOUND CITY LAUNCH PARTY The Kazimier
Do they work the crowd, preaching peace, love and forgiveness?
Fans could show us their spiritual side
See if your dancers could perform their competition routines at halftime while the college dance team members work the crowd, passing cans for some can-do dancers.
Fundraising: tips and trick