press the flesh, to

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.

Shake hands and mingle with people, especially when running for public office. For example, The candidate went through the crowd, pressing the flesh. [1920s]

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.

To shake hands and mingle with many people, especially while campaigning for public office.

To shake hands, to make physical contact in greeting someone. This humorous bit of American slang dates from the 1920s. It was first used, and still often is, of politicians who are greeting as many potential voters as possible in an effort to secure their votes.