out at elbows

Variant of elbow

elbow definition

el·bow (el′bō′)

noun

    1. the joint between the upper and lower arm; esp., the outer part of the angle made by a bent arm
    2. the joint corresponding to this in the forelimb of quadrupeds
  2. the part of a sleeve covering the elbow
  3. anything bent like an elbow, as a fitting for joining plumbing pipes at a 45° or 90° angle

Etymology: ME elbowe < OE elboga < PGmc *alino-boga (> Ger ellenbogen): see ell & bow

transitive verb

  1. to shove or jostle with or as with elbows
  2. to push (one's way) with the elbows or rudely

intransitive verb

  1. to make one's way by shoving or jostling
  2. to form an angle
elbow Idioms

at someone's elbow

very close to someone; easy to reach

out at (the) elbows

shabby; poverty-stricken

up to the elbows

Informal deeply engaged (in work, etc.)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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