Dutch

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Etymology

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Compound of elleboog (elbow) +‎ -en- +‎ werk (work). Evoking prodding and pushing people aside with one's elbows as an ungracious way of treating competition. Compare German Ellenbogengesellschaft.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈɛ.lə.boː.ɣə(n)ˌʋɛrk/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Hyphenation: el‧le‧bo‧gen‧werk

Noun

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ellebogenwerk n (uncountable)

  1. (informal) ruthless competition; fierce, unfriendly rivalry