elbow (redirected from up to elbows)

*some elbow room

Fig. room to move about in; extra space to move about in. (*Typically: allow ~; get ~; have ~; give someone ~; need ~.) This table is too crowded. We all need some elbow room.

See also: room, some

bend one's elbow and bend the elbow; lift one's elbow

to take a drink of an alcoholic beverage; to drink alcohol to excess. He's down at the tavern, bending his elbow. Paul gets lots of exercise. I saw him bend his elbow thirty times at a bar yesterday.

See also: bend

elbow

(one's way) through (something) to push or drive oneself through something, such as a crowd, perhaps using one's elbows or arms to move people out of the way. She elbowed her way through the crowd. Jerry elbowed through the people gathered at the door.

elbow someone aside

to push someone aside with one's elbow or arm. She elbowed the other woman aside and there was almost a fight. The rude woman elbowed aside all the other people.

See also: aside

elbow someone out of something and elbow someone out

Fig. to force or pressure someone out of something, such as an office, post, or status. The board managed to elbow out the old head of the company. They tried to elbow me out, but I held on to what was mine.

See also: and, out

elbow grease

Fig. hard scrubbing. Tom: What did you use to get your car so shiny? Mary: Just regular wax and some elbow grease. Joe put a lot of elbow grease into cleaning the kitchen.

See also: grease

like tryin' to scratch your ear with your elbow

Rur. impossible. Getting those kids to settle down is like tryin' to scratch your ear with your elbow. Fixing all the leaks in that old roof is like tryin' to scratch your ear with your elbow.

See also: ear, like, scratch

rub elbows (with someone) and rub shoulders with someone

Fig. to associate with someone; to work closely with someone. (No physical contact is involved.) I don't care to rub elbows with someone who acts like that! I rub shoulders with John at work. We are good friends.

See also: rub

use some elbow grease

Fig. use some effort, as in scrubbing something. (As if lubricating one's elbow would make one more efficient. Note the variations in the examples.) Come on, Bill. You can do it. Just use some elbow grease. I tried elbow grease, but it doesn't help get the job done.

See also: grease, some, use

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at somebody's elbow

near someone, often in order to help them She hovered constantly at Charles's elbow to make sure he had everything he wanted.

can't tell your arse from your elbow  (very informal!) also not know your arse from your elbow (very informal!)

if you can't tell your arse from your elbow, you are stupid and become confused about simple things It's no good asking him to organize anything - he can't tell his arse from his elbow.

See also: arse, tell

elbow grease  (humorous)

hard work, especially when you are cleaning something With determination and elbow grease we soon transformed the filthy kitchen.

See also: grease

elbow room 

1. space which allows you to move around There's no elbow room at all in this kitchen.

2. the freedom to do what you want to do The President should be given as much elbow room as he needs to solve these international problems.

See also: room

give somebody the elbow  (British informal)

to end a romantic relationship with someone They went out together for a month and then she gave him the elbow.

See also: give

More power to your elbow!  (British & Australian) also More power to you! (American & Australian)

something that you say to praise someone and to say that you hope they continue to have success 'I've decided to set up my own business.' 'Good for you. More power to your elbow!'

See also: more, power

rub shoulders with somebody   (British, American & Australian informal) also rub elbows with somebody (American & Australian informal)

to spend time with famous people He's Hollywood's most popular hairdresser and regularly rubs shoulders with top movie stars.

See also: rub, shoulder

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at somebody's elbow

very near and convenient My kitchen is small and efficient with everything right at my elbow. Does the president have enough advisors at his elbow?

rub elbows with somebody

to meet or be with someone socially rub shoulders with somebody As Ms Quasebarth's personal assistant, Celia has rubbed elbows with singers and DJ's and even presidents.

See also: rub

rub shoulders with somebody

to meet or be with someone socially rub elbows with somebody The receptions offered a chance for business people to rub shoulders with business people from other countries.

See also: rub, shoulder