Brewer's: Cheek by Jowl

In intimate confabulation; tête-á-tête. Cheek is the Anglo-Saxon ceca, céac-bán, cheek-bone; and jowl is the Anglo-Saxon ceole (the jaw); Irish, gial.

“Ill go with thee, cheek by jowl.” —Shakespeare: Midsummer Night's Dream, iii. 2.

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