Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense elbows, present participle elbowing, past tense, past participle elbowed
1. countable noun
Your elbow is the part of your arm where the upper and lower halves of the arm are joined.
He slipped and fell, badly bruising an elbow.
Synonyms: joint, turn, corner, bend More Synonyms of elbow
2. verb
If you elbow people aside or elbow your way somewhere, you push people with your elbows in order to move somewhere.
They also claim that the security team elbowed aside a steward. [V n with aside]
Mr Smith elbowed me in the face. [VERB noun preposition]
Brand elbowed his way to the centre of the group of bystanders. [VERB noun preposition/adverb]
[Also VERB]
3. verb
If someone or something elbows their way somewhere, or elbows other people or things out of the way, they achieve success by being aggressive and determined.
Non-state firms gradually elbow aside the inefficient state-owned ones. [V n with aside/out]
Environmental concerns will elbow their way right to the top of the agenda. [VERB noun preposition]
[Also V n prep, V n]
4. to rub elbows with
More Synonyms of elbow
elbow in British English
(ˈɛlbəʊ)
noun
1.
the joint between the upper arm and the forearm, formed by the junction of the radius and ulna with the humerus
2.
the corresponding joint or bone of birds or mammals
3.
the part of a garment that covers the elbow
4.
something resembling an elbow, such as a sharp bend in a road or river
5. at one's elbow
6. out at elbow
7. up to the elbows with
verb
8. (transitive)
to reject; dismiss. Also: give the elbow
9.
to make (one's way) by shoving, jostling, etc
10. (transitive)
to knock or shove with or as if with the elbow
Word origin
Old English elnboga; see ell2, bow2; related to Old Norse olbogi, Old High German elinbogo
elbow in American English
(ˈɛlˌboʊ)
noun
1.
a.
the joint between the upper and lower arm; esp., the outer part of the angle made by a bent arm
b.
the joint corresponding to this in the forelimb of quadrupeds
2.
the part of a sleeve covering the elbow
3.
anything bent like an elbow, as a fitting for joining plumbing pipes at a 45° or 90° angle
verb transitive
4.
to shove or jostle with or as with elbows
5.
to push (one's way) with the elbows or rudely
verb intransitive
6.
to make one's way by shoving or jostling
7.
to form an angle
Idioms:
at someone's elbow
out at (the) elbows
up to the elbows
Word origin
ME elbowe < OE elboga < PGmc *alino-boga (> Ger ellenbogen): see ell2 & bow3
More idioms containing
elbow
elbow room
elbow grease
all power to your elbow
Examples of 'elbow' in a sentence
elbow
Rest on your right elbow positioned under your shoulder and lift your hips and knees off the floor.
The Sun (2016)
My sore knee, tennis elbow and arthritic feet are forgotten.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
With a controlled bend at the elbows, lower the chest towards the ground and pivot from your toes.
The Sun (2016)
The victim suffered a cut to his left elbow and a finger, bruising to his left leg, plus pain to his back and neck.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
QA I have had tennis elbow in my arm for months.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Take each leg in turn to move towards your elbow and stretch out again.
The Sun (2014)
What is the best way of getting rid of persistent tennis elbow?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You may wonder who needs quite that much elbow room.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He thinks he was given the elbow because he was too nice.
The Sun (2008)
The technique is to place the left hand on the forearm or elbow of the other person.
Torrington, Derek Personnel Management: A New Approach (1991)
Nor have small food producers been elbowed aside.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Though the woman has to take some of her weight on one elbow it is very comfortable.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This week she is to receive a new electrically powered elbow joint.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She was also struck on the right elbow and the right hip.
The Sun (2014)
Then bend your elbows and twist your knees in a figure of eight movement.
The Sun (2009)
Take the right arm and push the elbow of the left arm to increase the stretch.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
You can see the smug look on their smug faces as they elbow you into the gutter.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Your left elbow is held a little further forward than the right.