shoulder

be on someone's shoulder keep a close check on someone. informal

2010CNN transcripts They make no mistake, they don't try to blend in, they're not trying to hide. They're trying to show you that they are there and they're on your shoulder. If you then go in a vehicle, then they're following you in pick-up trucks.

a chip on your shoulder: seechip.

the cold shoulder: seecold.

head and shoulders above: seehead.

look over your shoulder be anxious or insecure about a possible danger.

1990Daily Star The chief executive…toasted the lifting of the takeover threat. 'Now they can get on with running the business while not looking over their shoulders,' says one city analyst.

open your shoulders: seeopen.

put your shoulder to the wheel set to work vigorously.

☞ The image here is of pushing with your shoulder against the wheel of a cart or other vehicle that has become stuck.

rub shoulders with: seerub.

a shoulder to cry on someone who listens sympathetically to another person's problems.

shoulder to shoulder

1 side by side.

2 acting together towards a common aim.

☞ Sense 2 developed from the idea of soldiers standing side by side in unbroken ranks.

stand on someone's shoulders benefit from the previous experience of (a predecessor in your field).

straight from the shoulder: seestraight.