common touch
noun1
Idiomatic The personal quality of showing understanding of and sympathy for the concerns of ordinary people; rapport with and acceptance by ordinary people, usually in a celebrity or leader.
- If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch; . . . Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it1895, Rudyard Kipling, If—:
- The crowd roared its approval and gave a standing ovation to the new President of Africa's most populous nation. That common touch has served Babangida well.1986 February 17, John Moody, “Nigeria Striking a Delicate Balance”, in Time, retrieved 16 Oct 2013:
2 more examples
- The admiral is the first enlisted man to lead the Navy, and Navy aides are busy cultivating his image as a four-star officer with a common touch.1996 May 4, Eric Schmitt, “New Top Admiral to Push Wider Combat Role for Women”, in New York Times, retrieved 16 Oct 2013:
- From the first moments of his papacy it has been evident that Francis is a “people person,” with a gentle common touch and a gift for pastoral outreach.2013 September 25, Jeff Jacoby, “Pope’s interview is fodder for the culture war”, in Boston Globe, retrieved 16 Oct 2013:
- Related terms
- man of the people, just folks, unpretentiousness