at (one's) elbow
at (one's) elbow
Close by; readily available. Please stay at your mother's elbow, in case she needs your help. I'm not very creative in the kitchen, so I always have a cookbook at my elbow when I prepare a new dish.
See also: elbow
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
at someone's elbow
Immediately beside someone, close by, as in The apprentice was constantly at the master's elbow. Why this idiom focuses on the elbow rather than the arm, shoulder, or some other body part is not known. Moreover, it can mean either that someone is so nearby as to constitute a nuisance or in order to readily provide assistance. Either can be meant in the example above. [Mid-1500s]
See also: elbow
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
at your ˈelbow
very near; within arm’s reach: I always like to have a dictionary at my elbow to check spellings.See also: elbow
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
at (one's) elbow
Close at hand; nearby.
See also: elbow
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- at elbow
- at someone's elbow
- at your elbow
- bend (one's)/the elbow
- bend elbow
- bend one’s elbow
- bend the elbow
- bend your elbow
- crook one's elbow