brush shoulders

USAGE SUMMARY

"brush shoulders" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiom that means to briefly come into contact with someone while walking in a crowded area. For example, "We had to brush shoulders with the other pedestrians while walking through the busy market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

We brush shoulders with life, death and immense suffering, but also joy, day in, day out.

The Guardian

International acts will brush shoulders with a host of local dancers, musicians, actors, artists and comedians at this impressive venue.

Independent

But anyone who cannot afford the $50,000 required to brush shoulders with Mr. Cuomo is not entirely out of luck.

The New York Times

In Ms. Carroll's musical universe jazz, classical and pop influences don't collide so much as gently brush shoulders as they dance by one another.

The New York Times - Arts

Why precisely me and not him?" Eventually he holds his ground, the two men brush shoulders, and the narrator is overjoyed.

The Guardian - Books

Accounts of vivid individuals, tight-knit families, and regional politics brush shoulders with the anonymous men, women, and children who might have named a saint's well here, or left a song or a pile of rocks there.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Most of the big names of comedy I have brushed shoulders with are surprisingly sane.

Independent

Who else can still claim to have brushed shoulders with Hitler?

The Guardian

"His brushing shoulders with the rich and famous did not affect how he lived his life or his tastes.

The Guardian - Arts

Before he was famous, the essayist Michel Eyquem de Montaigne brushed shoulders with death on a bridle path, some time in 1569 or early 1570.

The Guardian - Books

Michael Jackson brushes shoulders with Sarah Vaughan in the person of Cyrille Aimée, a saucy, curly-haired jazz singer with one foot in tradition and the other in electronics.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "brush shoulders" to describe brief, often chance encounters, especially in social or professional settings. It's suitable when the interaction is fleeting and not deeply meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "brush shoulders" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "mingle with" or "rub elbows with" to keep your text engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brush shoulders" primarily functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It describes the act of briefly meeting or interacting with someone, often implying a casual or chance encounter. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in its examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "brush shoulders" is a common idiomatic phrase that means to briefly meet or interact with someone, often in a casual setting. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's most frequently used in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "mingle with" or "rub elbows with" for variety. Remember that its informality might make it unsuitable for highly formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rub elbows with

Similar idiom emphasizing social interaction, especially with famous or influential people.

cross paths with

Emphasizes a chance encounter, a brief intersection of lives.

mingle with

Focuses on actively interacting and socializing with others, implying a more deliberate engagement.

encounter briefly

Highlights the act of meeting unexpectedly and for a short duration.

meet briefly

Emphasizes the short duration of the encounter.

interact casually

Highlights the informal nature of the interaction.

associate with

Highlights a connection or relationship, which may not necessarily be brief or casual.

come into contact with

A more general term for any kind of interaction, not limited to social situations.

be in proximity to

Focuses on physical nearness rather than interaction.

be acquainted with

Implies a degree of familiarity, unlike the fleeting nature of "brush shoulders".

FAQs

What does "brush shoulders" mean?

The idiom "brush shoulders" means to meet or come into contact with someone briefly, often in a casual or social setting. It implies a fleeting interaction rather than a deep connection.

How can I use "brush shoulders" in a sentence?

You might say, "At the conference, I had the opportunity to "brush shoulders" with industry leaders", indicating a brief encounter with prominent figures.

What's a more formal alternative to "brush shoulders"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "interact with" or "encounter" instead of "brush shoulders".

Is "brush shoulders" only used for encounters with famous people?

No, "brush shoulders" can describe any brief interaction, not just with celebrities. It simply implies a quick or casual meeting, regardless of the other person's status.