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Glite Dictionary
to give the elbow

to give the elbow

9.0
To end a relationship or stop someone from working for you
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : dar la patada
  • When the team performed poorly, the coach didn't hesitate to give the elbow to several players.

Examples

  • He knew his boss was about to give the elbow because of his repeated mistakes.

  • She gave the elbow to her boyfriend after he lied.

  • After years of arguments, she finally decided to give the elbow to her boyfriend.

  • Don't give the elbow!

  • After years of arguments, she finally decided to give the elbow to her boyfriend.

  • He knew his boss was about to give the elbow to him because of his repeated mistakes.

  • When the team performed poorly, the coach didn't hesitate to give the elbow to several players.

Synonyms

to dismiss
vsto give the elbow
110 2.7

To tell people to leave a meeting or room

is more idiomatic and often used personally, not only formally
to rebuff
vsto give the elbow
18 7.7

To say no to someone or their offer in a quick rude way

is a more idiomatic dismissal for relationships or job loss
to kick someone to the curb
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
12 9.4

Suddenly stop seeing or talking to someone

is a general dismissal used for relationships or jobs
to give (someone) the boot
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
12 7.4

To stop someone from working at their job, usually because of bad work or behavior

also applies to relationship endings as well as job removal
to kick to the curb
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
7 8.6

Get rid of someone or something you no longer want

covers both ending relationships and job removals generally
to give the heave-ho
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
4 8.5

To tell someone to leave their job or to stop using something

is similar but can also be personal relationship rejection
to give someone the brush-off
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
2 7.5

To reject someone quickly and rudely

involves clear rejection, often used for relationships or jobs
to cold-shoulder
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
1 7.7

To ignore someone on purpose to show you are angry or unfriendly

is a direct rejection or removal rather than subtle ignoring
to give the mitten
vsto give the elbow
  • Archaic
9.9

To end a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend

applies to relationships and jobs, not only romance
to give the axe
vsto give the elbow
  • UK
7.4

To suddenly end someone's job or a relationship, often without warning

is broader, used for both relationships and job dismissals
to give the bounce
vsto give the elbow
  • UK
9.7

End someone's job or relationship suddenly and without warning

is used for both relationship rejection and job removal
to give the gate
vsto give the elbow
  • UK
9.9

To end a relationship or job suddenly and harshly

is used for both dismissing from jobs and ending relationships
to hand someone their hat
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
8.7

Fire someone from their job

covers personal relationship rejection as well as job dismissal
to hand someone their cards
vsto give the elbow
  • Informal
9.3

To tell someone they have lost their job or show the truth about their situation

is primarily a simple rejection without revealing extra information

Antonyms

to accept
793 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

embrace
20 3.4

A warm, willing acceptance of someone or an idea

How Abrupt

to give the elbow
  • UK
9.0
to dump
  • Informal
501 5.1
to cut off
620 3.8
to reject
839 1.9
to turn down
312 2.9

Surface Forms

give the elbow infinitive
gave the elbow past
given the elbow past participle
giving the elbow present participle
gives the elbow third person singular

Morphology

give + the + elbow

The literal parts 'give' and 'elbow' do not directly state 'reject', but 'elbow' can metaphorically suggest pushing someone away, so there is a partial cue to dismissal. The expression is idiomatic and its specific sense of rejecting or dumping someone is not fully predictable without prior exposure, making it only partially transparent to learners.

Etymology

The phrase give the elbow may come from the rude act of using your elbow to push someone away. That image makes clear why it now means 'to reject or dismiss someone'.