"Bent one's elbow" is often used as a colloquial expression to refer to drinking alcohol, specifically beer or other alcoholic beverages. There are plenty of other synonyms for this phrase that one can use to spice up their diction. Some common ones include "raising a glass," "imbibing," "having a drink," "sipping on a libation," "taking a nip," "quaffing," "swigging," "tippling," and "toasting." These alternatives can add variety to one's language, making conversations and written works more engaging. Ultimately, the choice of synonym depends on personal preference, context, and tone, but using creative expressions can make language more interesting and exciting.