rub elbows
To associate closely; to consort, mingle, or socialize.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They often rub elbows with famous people.”
“At the charity gala, you have the chance to rub elbows with local business leaders.”
“The young politician attended the exclusive summit specifically to rub elbows with influential diplomats and secure support for his new policy.”
From *rub* + *elbows*, first recorded in the mid-19th century. The compound suggests a crowd of sufficient density that individuals are forced into physical contact at the joints. The image describes the proximity required for social interaction in a confined space.
- 01
bend one's elbow
To drink alcoholic beverages, especially at a public house or bar.
- 02
elbow grease
Effort or hard work, especially physical work involving repeated motion of the forearm, such as scrubbing.
- 03
elbow mentality
An attitude characterized by self-interest and a willingness to prioritize personal benefit or ambition, often above the welfare of an organization or community; a willingness to elbow (verb) past others.
- 04
rub down
To rub from top to bottom, e.g. for cleaning, stripping paint or massage.
- 05
rub in
To make a point in an irritatingly emphatic manner.
- 06
rub it in
To add insult to injury; to emphasize one's strengths or another's weaknesses in a manner that degrades another.
- 07
rub off
To be transferred with little or no effort.
- 08
rub off on
To be acquired by or transferred to (someone) as a result of regular exposure.
Last updated August 10, 2026