more power to your elbow

English

WOTD – 11 October 2021

Etymology

Possibly an elaboration of more power to you, with the speaker expressing the wish that the person addressed will have more strength to achieve their goal.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /mɔː ˈpaʊə tʊ jə ˈɛlbəʊ/
  • (file)
  • (General American) IPA(key): /mɔɹ ˈpaʊɚ tʊ jɚ ˈɛlboʊ/
  • Hyphenation: more pow‧er to your el‧bow

Interjection

more power to your elbow

  1. (British) Used to express admiration of a person coupled with wishes for their continued success in an endeavour of their own choosing: all the best; good luck.
    Synonyms: best of luck, more power to your arm
    • 1959 May, G. F. Fiennes (reviewer), “New Reading on Railways: British Railways Today and Tomorrow. By G. Freeman Allen. Ian Allan. 25s.”, in Trains Illustrated, London: Ian Allan Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 271:
      Naturally the forms of traction occupy Mr. [Geoffrey] Freeman Allen much of his time and he sits on no fence here; he is an "electrifier", with good reasons advanced—more power to his elbow.

Translations

Further reading

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