elbow

Examples

• All

• President Bush leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees, and stared at me intently.

  Academic text (2011)

• P.S. My sister rocked that dress with black elbow-length gloves at her 1993 homecoming dance.

  Blog text (2)

• A little more elbow room.

  The Sitter (2011)

• Look at the elbow of my jacket.

  Last Action Hero (1993)

• I love the elbow pads.

  Barbie (2023)

• When it was over and Rajinder was sleeping, I lifted myself on an elbow to look at him.

  Fiction book (1995)

• Billie set her elbows on the table, her chin in her hands.

  Fiction book (1991)

• The sleeves of her long lab coat were rolled up to her elbows, her hands gloved.

  Fiction book (1990)

• He was wearing a rather old-fashioned jacket with leather patches on the shoulders and at the elbows.

  Frenzy (1972)

• The coat has a tear at the elbow where the fabric has worn thin.

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

Surface Forms

Etymology