Meaning & use
sharp elbows
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Meaning
phraseusually pluralinformalfigurative
A forceful, pushy way of competing or getting ahead, with little concern for others.
Grammar: Almost always plural and used with have or use: she has sharp elbows.
Patterns
- have sharp elbows
- use your sharp elbows
- with sharp elbows
She got the promotion by using her sharp elbows.
In this industry you need sharp elbows to get noticed.
He made his way through the sale crowd with sharp elbows.
Common combinations
- have sharp elbows
- The new director has sharp elbows.
- use sharp elbows
- You have to use sharp elbows in publishing.
- with sharp elbows
- She forced her way to the front with sharp elbows.
- sharp-elbowed
- A sharp-elbowed competitor took the deal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ruthless
- Ruthless means having no pity at all, which is stronger than sharp elbows.
- pushy
- Pushy is a casual word for being forceful and annoying in asking for things.
- cutthroat
- Cutthroat describes fierce competition itself, often in business.
- aggressive
- Aggressive is general and can be positive, while sharp elbows is usually critical.
Opposites
Word family
- elbow verb
- to push someone with your elbow
- sharp-elbowed adjective
- pushy and competitive
- elbow room noun
- enough space to move
Commonly confused: sharp elbows or elbow grease?
sharp elbows vs elbow grease
Elbow grease means hard physical effort, while sharp elbows means pushy competition.
Practice
Which sentence uses sharp elbows in its figurative sense?
Choose one answer.
The figurative sense is about pushy, competitive behavior. The other sentences describe physical sharpness or pain.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sharp elbows”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.