out at the elbows

Idioms  

1. Also,. Wearing clothes that are worn out or torn; poor. For example, When we last saw Phil he was out at the elbows. These expressions, dating from the late 1500s and early 1600s, can refer to clothes worn through at these points as well as to a person too poor to replace them.

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Example Sentences

Toby's coat was usually out at the elbows, but he had long held, throughout the whole Isle of Axholme, a high reputation as a man of deep and singular learning.

From Project Gutenberg

In him the Church of England appears a little out at the elbows, but in good heart.

From Project Gutenberg

These ideas, out at the elbows, out at the knees, buttons off, somewhat raveled, will, after all, do very well for paupers.

From Project Gutenberg

They are a little out at the elbows, very much out in regard to shoes, and they have not seen a real piece of money for many a weary month, but for a square meal and a handful of paper greenbacks they will dismiss a parliament, rob a museum, or levy taxes, with the utmost fidelity to their orders and with strict discipline to their master's commands.

From Project Gutenberg

Her father goes clad in russet— All brown and seedy at that; His coat is out at the elbows, And he wears a shocking bad hat.

From Project Gutenberg