sharp-elbowed

1 8.1

Someone who acts in a pushy way to get ahead and promote their own interests

adjective
/ʃɑrpˈɛlboʊd/

: agresivo

He is known for being sharp-elbowed in negotiations, always seeking to advance his own interests first.

Examples

And we certainly know about very bellicose women who are tough, who are sharp elbowed and who don't have that kinds of sense sensitivity.
In a sharp-elbowed attempt to secure the top position, she overshadowed her colleagues during the meeting.
The sharp-elbowed nature of the competition made it difficult for newcomers to thrive in the industry.

Synonyms

aggressive

vssharp-elbowed

276 3.6

Determined and energetic in trying to reach goals

is targeted mainly at gaining personal advantage rather than any goal

competitive

vssharp-elbowed

106 3.9

Wanting to be better than other people and win

is more focused on pushing personal advantage than general competition

pushy

vssharp-elbowed

Informal

68 5.0

Being rude and trying too hard to make people do what you want

is less rudely forceful in pursuing personal advantage

forceful

vssharp-elbowed

58 4.3

Showing strong power and clear confidence in speech or actions

is applied to further one's own interests rather than general strength

assertive

vssharp-elbowed

41 4.2

Showing confidence when saying what you want or think

is more competitive and forceful when pushing personal advantage

confrontational

vssharp-elbowed

38 7.0

Showing anger and wanting to argue with others

is used to gain personal advantage rather than only provoke argument

combative

vssharp-elbowed

33 6.1

Being ready to argue or fight

pushes for personal advantage rather than seeking fights

belligerent

vssharp-elbowed

27 7.5

Being ready to argue or fight

is typically aimed at advancing personal interests rather than hostility only

cutthroat

vssharp-elbowed

19 7.8

Showing no care for others when trying to win

is less ruthless when advancing personal interests

in-your-face

vssharp-elbowed

Informal

15 8.4

Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice

is used for pushing personal advantage rather than just bold style

hard-nosed

vssharp-elbowed

13 7.2

A practical, tough person who is not moved by feelings

relies on toughness and pragmatism rather than pushing for advantage

pugnacious

vssharp-elbowed

4 8.8

Quick to argue or fight, often over small things

is driven by winning or personal benefit rather than mere quarrels

high-handed

vssharp-elbowed

Formal

3 8.1

Using power in a rude way that ignores other people's views

is about aggressive self-advancement without needing formal authority

bumptious

vssharp-elbowed

1 9.9

Too confident and rude in a way that annoys other people

is more about achieving personal gain than mere arrogance

self-assertive

vssharp-elbowed

1 7.0

Being confident and forceful when you speak or act, sometimes sounding rude

uses force primarily to gain advantage rather than just express views

agonistic

vssharp-elbowed

Formal

1 9.6

Showing a desire to argue or compete with others

focuses on self-advancement rather than conflict itself

Antonyms

passive

151 3.9

Not taking action or trying to change what happens

submissive

39 5.1

Willing to obey others and not argue

How Aggressive

sharp-elbowed

1 8.1

meek

37 4.4

Surface Forms

sharp-elbowed positive

Morphology

sharp-elbowed = sharp + elbow (semi-transparent) = sharp + elbow + ed

Morphologically straightforward: a compound of 'sharp' + 'elbow' with the adjectival suffix '-ed' forming a descriptive adjective.

Etymology

The word sharp-elbowed comes from the picture of a sharp elbow used to move through a crowd, because to 'elbow' someone is to 'push past' them. So being sharp-elbowed means being aggressive or pushing to get ahead.