to elbow

Examples

• All

• 17 "Me first," Nancy said, elbowing her way up to the airlock.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Hank, Audrey, Wes, and Fred elbow their way through the crowd.

  Fiction book (1990)

• I wouldn't have noticed him, but someone tried to elbow in.

  Limelight (1952)

• Extend your throwing hand and elbow backward away from your body.

  Academic text (1990)

• "Do the officials believe Fremont came for science?" Alejandro elbowed his way forward.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The townspeople pressed close, paying avid attention, elbowing each other and snickering.

  Fiction book (1997)

• To get to the front row, I had to elbow my way through the crowd.

• She elbowed her way past the slow walkers to catch the bus.

• He had to elbow his way into the tightly packed concert hall.

Synonyms

J

to jostle

vsto elbow

22 4.4

To push or bump people in a crowd to get past them

does this specifically by using the joint at the arm bend to force through

S

to shoulder

vsto elbow

6 4.7

To force your way past people using the top of your arm

forces a way through using the joint at the arm bend

S

to shoulder in

vsto elbow

1 7.2

To push into a crowd or group using your body to get ahead

moves through a crowd by pushing with the joint at the arm bend

Antonyms

Y

to yield

11 4.4

To move aside to let someone or something pass

Idioms

A

at my elbow

1 6.3

Someone is very near to give you help or advice

B

to bend one's elbow

• UK

9.1

To drink alcohol with other people in a social place

E

elbow-deep in

• Informal

6.8

Very involved in an activity, often working with your hands

G

to give the elbow

• UK

9.0

To end a relationship or stop someone from working for you

Compounds

E

elbow grease

• Informal

7 4.1

A lot of hard work with your hands and arms to clean or shine things

E

elbow room

• Informal

5 4.1

Space to move or act freely without feeling crowded

T

tennis elbow

• Specialized

4 4.1

Pain in the outer part of the elbow caused by using the arm too much, often from racket sports

E

elbow pad

1 2.1

A protective pad worn over the elbow to prevent injury during sports

E

elbow joint

1 3.0

A hinge between the upper arm and lower arm that lets the arm bend

E

elbow bone

3.0

The inner longer bone of the forearm between the elbow and the wrist

E

elbow mentality

• Jargon

9.1

A competitive attitude that puts your interests ahead of others, ignoring teamwork

How Forceful

to barge

• Informal

42 6.0

shove

31 2.7

to elbow

24 6.0

to push

∞ 1.0

to squeeze

192 2.8

to nudge

33 3.8

Surface Forms

Etymology