cheek by jowl

== English == === Etymology === From cheek +‎ by +‎ jowl (“cheek; jaw”) (or possibly jowl (“fold of fatty flesh under the chin, around the cheeks, or lower jaw; cheek”) or jowl (“(obsolete) head”)), suggesting people so close to each other that the cheek of one person is next to the jowl of another. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌt͡ʃiːk baɪ ˈd͡ʒaʊl/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˌt͡ʃik baɪ ˈd͡ʒaʊl/ Rhymes: -aʊl === Adverb === cheek by jowl (comparative more cheek by jowl, superlative most cheek by jowl) (chiefly UK, idiomatic) In very close physical proximity; crowded together; side by side. Synonyms: alongside, (Scotland) cheek for chowl, elbow to elbow, shoulder-to-shoulder, tooth-to-jowl (figurative) In very close or intimate association. ==== Usage notes ==== The similar expression cheek to cheek implies a cosy, romantic situation, while cheek by jowl implies rather the opposite, being cramped or crowded. ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === cheek by jowl (comparative more cheek by jowl, superlative most cheek by jowl) (chiefly UK, idiomatic) Often in the form cheek-by-jowl: in very close physical proximity; crowded together; tightly packed. Synonym: packed like sardines ==== Alternative forms ==== cheek-by-jowl cheek-to-jowl, cheek to jowl (chiefly US) ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== chockablock === References === === Further reading === “cheek-for-chow(l), -chou(l), phrase” under “cheek, n. and v.”, in The Dictionary of the Scots Language, Edinburgh: Scottish Language Dictionaries, 2004–present, →OCLC, reproduced from W[illiam] Grant and D[avid] D. Murison, editors, The Scottish National Dictionary, Edinburgh: Scottish National Dictionary Association, 1931–1976, →OCLC.