elbow
/ˈelbəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈelbəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈel-ˌbō/ (ame, mw) · /ˈel.bəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈel.boʊ/ (ame, ipa)
elbow — noun
- elbowsingular
- elbowsplural
1. Your elbow is the joint halfway along your arm that bends, allowing your forearm
Your elbow is the joint halfway along your arm that bends, allowing your forearm to move toward your upper arm. When used for clothing, the same word describes the section of a sleeve positioned over this joint.
Cyrus hurt his elbow when he fell off his bike.
The elbow of her jacket had a small hole in the fabric.
clothing sense — the elbow of a garment
Stefan bent his elbow to lift the glass to his mouth.
Owen rested both elbows on the wooden table while eating.
A patch covered the elbow of Nila's school shirt.
- joint
a more general term for any place where two bones meet in the body
用法筆記
The clothing sense is most common in phrases like 'the elbow of a sleeve' or with compound nouns such as 'elbow patch.'
常見錯誤
2. The place where something long and narrow, such as a pipe, a road, or a river, m
The place where something long and narrow, such as a pipe, a road, or a river, makes a sudden turn that creates a corner much like a bent arm.
The plumber fixed the leak at the elbow of the kitchen pipe.
pipe fitting — plumbing context
The river takes a sharp elbow just past the old bridge.
Rodrigo replaced the elbow joint in the chimney to fix the smoke problem.
The road has an elbow turn right before the village entrance.
You need a pipe elbow to connect the two sections at a right angle.
用法筆記
Common in technical writing about plumbing, construction, and geography. For roads and rivers, 'bend' is a more general alternative.
3. On a basketball court, either of two positions where the free-throw line and ano
On a basketball court, either of two positions where the free-throw line and another painted line intersect to create a sharp L-shaped corner.
The point guard took the shot from the elbow of the key.
basketball court position — elbow of the key
Yumi passed the ball to Anna, who was waiting at the right elbow.
Coaches often tell players to practice mid-range jump shots from the elbow.
The player set a screen at the left elbow to free up the shooter.
用法筆記
Technical basketball terminology used by coaches and advanced players. In game commentary, 'from the elbow' describes a common shooting position.
elbow — verb
- elbowpresent simple I / you / we / they
- elbows3rd person singular
- elbowing-ing form
- elbowedpast simple
1. To press or push people aside with your elbows as you move through a crowded are
To press or push people aside with your elbows as you move through a crowded area, often in a rude or forceful way.
Cyrus elbowed his way through the crowd to get to the front.
elbow + one's way + through — forcing a path
The reporter elbowed past the other journalists to reach the actor.
Two men elbowed each other aside to grab the last seat on the bus.
Obi elbowed through the packed market, trying to catch the seller.
Mira had to elbow her way into the train before the doors closed.
文法句型
elbow + someone + aside/past/through
elbow + one's way + through/into
用法筆記
Often used with a reflexive-like object ('elbow one's way') or with a directional particle ('elbow past,' 'elbow aside,' 'elbow through'). Informal and slightly negative in tone.
常見錯誤
2. To make a gentle, quiet contact using your elbow against another person, usually
To make a gentle, quiet contact using your elbow against another person, usually to attract their notice or remind them to do something.
Ada elbowed her brother under the table to warn him to be quiet.
elbow + someone + infinitive of purpose
Niran elbowed his friend and pointed at the famous actor across the room.
Anna elbowed me during the meeting when the boss asked that difficult question.
Emily elbowed her classmate to remind her it was her turn to speak.
The girl next to me elbowed me and whispered, "Look at that painting."
文法句型
elbow + someone
elbow + someone + to do something
用法筆記
This gesture is usually done discreetly in social settings — the nudge is light and meant to communicate without speaking, not to cause harm.