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Glite Dictionary
at my elbow

at my elbow

1 6.3
Someone is very near to give you help or advice
  • idiom
translation icon : a mi lado
  • I want you right at my elbow.
  • appears at my elbow
  • stands at my elbow
  • said, standing at my elbow

Examples

  • "We couldn't do without China," says a voice at my elbow.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • If only I had my 10-year-old grandson (who, unfortunately, lives in Los Angeles) constantly at my elbow when I'm on my computer or iPhone...

    Blog text (11)

  • "You go on now," Tommy said, and he followed me back to the truck, his hand at my elbow.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • Mr. Redfern appeared at my elbow.

    Fiction book (1990)

  • I took my dinner into the living room and settled into a comfortable chair with the bourbon at my elbow.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • "Hello, Uncle Bert," somebody squawked at my elbow.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • A shy, toothless first grader on my bus stopped at my elbow yesterday.

    Blog text (34)

  • She was back at my elbow again, smiling while she studied the winged spirits.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • In a small traditional community, if I were injured, the medical treatment given to me might not be the best, but someone I knew would be at my elbow muttering soothing words and, later, would offer me chicken soup.

    Academic text (2002)

  • My friend was right at my elbow when I needed help with my project.

Synonyms

by
vsat my elbow
∞ 1.0

Next to someone or something

means mere physical closeness rather than ready availability for help
at hand
vsat my elbow
106 1.0

Close by and easy to reach when you need it

implies the same nearness but adds stronger readiness to help
close at hand
vsat my elbow
4 2.4

Near you and easy to reach

is similar but stresses immediate help and figurative availability

Antonyms

out of reach
38 4.0

Too far or too expensive for most people to get

How Close

at my elbow
1 6.3
at hand
106 1.0
beside
536 1.0
nearby
325 1.0

Surface Forms

at my elbow positive

Morphology

at + my + elbow

The phrase combines the locative preposition 'at' with the possessive 'my' and the body-part 'elbow', so its basic meaning 'near my elbow' (i.e. very close by) is directly inferable from the constituents. The figurative reading of availability or immediate assistance is a straightforward metaphorical extension of physical proximity and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the words will likely understand it.

Etymology

At my elbow comes from the image of someone standing right by your elbow, close enough to whisper or reach out to help at once. That's why it now means 'very close by' or 'ready to help'.