More power to your elbow

[F.Chit]

Hi.
Some weeks ago our English teacher told us one funny story (funny for us, Ukrainian students=)).
He said that when he was in England he’d heard this idiom “More power to your elbow”. After that he’d used it a lot. And every time he did it, young women and girls turned red. Do you have any idea why? What does this idiom mean? And when do people usually use it?
Thanks for your answers ))

[Milanya]

More power to your elbow!
something that you say to praise someone and to say that you hope they continue to have success
'I've decided to set up my own business.' 'Good for you. More power to your elbow!'

(from Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms)

I have never heard it before and have no idea why it can be embarassing.
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con·text - The part of a text or statement that surrounds a particular word or passage and determines its meaning.

[Gray]

www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic32975.html#124463

Power to your elbow.
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First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English

[Kitosdad]

I do not wish to add further, except to say that it has sexual connotations.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[SkiIucK]

That's interesting, Kitosdad. I browsed some and found nothing that's germane to your statement. Could you clarify?

[F.Chit]

Thanks, Milanya. It's nice to know that someone reads posts here and tries to help))
so, this phrase isn't often used?

[Skrej]

As a speaker of AmE, I've never heard this expression before, and from what I've read, it seems to be a distinctly British one.

To answer your question, it depends on which side of the pond you're on. It doesn't even exist in AmE, but maybe some of our BrE speakers could give you an idea of how common it is in BrE.
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Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
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Did you hear they arrested the Energizer Bunny on battery charges?
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[Kitosdad]

Humans ?.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[Kitosdad]

" And every time he did it, young women and girls turned red."

SkiIucK, maybe it would be better to ask one of the young ladies.
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.

[F.Chit]

well, SkiIucK, Kitosdad... to tell the truth our teacher is a bit joker. So he might have exaggerated a little about women's reaction. Then I'm sorry if this information isn't true enough... :oops:

[F.Chit]

Thanks, Skrej. I've got your point))