pair

pair¹ W2S2 [peə US per] n plural pairs or pair

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1¦(joined together)¦

2¦(belonging together)¦

3 in pairs

4¦(two people)¦

5 the pair of you/them

6¦(two animals)¦

7 I've only got one pair of hands

8 an extra pair of hands

9 a safe pair of hands

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[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: paire, from Latin paria 'equal things', from par; PAR]

1.) ¦(JOINED TOGETHER)¦

an object that is made from two similar parts that are joined together

pair of trousers/scissors/glasses etc

▪ two pairs of jeans

▪ a pair of black tights

2.) ¦(BELONGING TOGETHER)¦

two things of the same type that are used together

pair of

▪ a new pair of sandals

pair of hands/eyes/legs etc

▪ She felt as if every pair of eyes in the room was on her.

▪ earrings, £5 a pair

▪ a pair of skis

▪ We have five pairs of free tickets to give away.

3.) in pairs

in groups of two

▪ We worked in pairs for the role-play exercise.

▪ The leaves of the tree are arranged in pairs.

4.) ¦(TWO PEOPLE)¦

two people who are standing or doing something together, or who have some type of connection with each other

→↑couple

▪ The pair are looking for sponsorship from local businesses.

pair of

▪ a pair of dancers

5.) the pair of you/them

BrE spoken used when you are angry or annoyed with two people

▪ Oh, get out, the pair of you.

6.) ¦(TWO ANIMALS)¦

a) a male and a female animal that come together in order to ↑breed

pair of

▪ a pair of doves

▪ a breeding pair

b) old use two horses that work together

7.) I've only got one pair of hands

spoken used to say that you are busy and cannot do any more than you are already doing

8.) an extra pair of hands

someone who helps you do something when you are busy

▪ Having an extra pair of hands during busy periods can take the pressure off.

9.) a safe pair of hands

someone you can trust and depend on because they are sensible - used especially in news reports

▪ Colleagues regard him as a safe pair of hands.

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HINT sense 4

Do not use pair to talk about a husband and wife (or two people in a similar relationship). Use couple: They're such a nice couple (NOT pair).

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pair ²

pair² v

1.) [I,T usually passive]

to put people or things into groups of two, or to form groups of two

be paired with sb

▪ We were each paired with a newcomer to help with training.

2.) also pair up

if animals pair, they come together in order to ↑breed

pair off [i]phr v

to come together or bring two people together to have a romantic relationship

▪ All the others were pairing off and I was left on my own.

pair sb off with sb

▪ My aunt was forever pairing me off with unsuitable men.

pair up phr v

1.) BrE to become friends and start to have a relationship

▪ We learned later that he and Tanya had paired up.

2.) to work together to do something or to put two people together to do something

▪ They first paired up in the screen adaptation of 'Grease'.

pair sb<=>up

▪ They have paired up writers and artists, and commissioned linked works.

3.) if animals pair up, they come together in order to ↑breed