Give someone the elbow
Meaning
To physically nudge or push someone aside, often to gain space or to remove them from a situation or position.
Origin
Imagine the bustling streets of 19th-century London, crammed with hawkers, pedestrians, and horse-drawn carriages. In such a dense throng, personal space was a luxury, and a swift, decisive nudge with an elbow became a common, albeit impolite, tactic to carve out a path or assert one's position. This simple, physical act, embodying a forceful yet often silent dismissal or displacement, soon became a figurative shorthand for pushing someone out of a social circle, a job, or any desired spot, capturing the aggressive edge of urban competition.
Examples
- She had to give the man the elbow to get past him in the crowded market.
- The new manager was quick to give the long-standing but underperforming employees the elbow.