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pair
extra pair of hands
Additional help or assistance provided by another person. I think we need to hire an extra pair of hands to help clean the house and mind the children.
grow a pair
vulgar slang To start acting in a strong, confident, and/or courageous manner, especially after having previously failed to do so. Though short for "grow a pair of testicles/balls" (discretion should be used because of this), the phrase can be said by or of either a male or female. Often used as an imperative. You need to grow a pair and ask your boss for a raise already! Janet, I know you're nervous about asking Tom out on a date, but just grow a pair and give it a shot!
have a pair
vulgar slang To act or behave in a strong, confident, and/or courageous manner. Though short for "have a pair of testicles/balls" (discretion should be used because of this), the phrase can be said by or of either a male or female. Often used with an intensifier, such as "quite a pair" or "a big pair." Primarily heard in US. Crime is really bad in this town, so you've got to have a big pair to be a police officer around here. Wow, your sister must have quite a pair to stand up to her boss like that!
strap on a pair
vulgar slang A derogatory exhortation to start acting in a more masculine manner; that is, to be more direct, aggressive, courageous, self-confident, and other such characteristics that are stereotypically considered to be masculine attributes. ("Pair" here refers to testicles, but the phrase can be said of or by both men and women.) You're never going to get the boss's respect if you keep kowtowing to him like that. You need to strap on a pair and show him that you deserve to be taken seriously! Janet, I know you're nervous about asking Tom out on a date, but just strap on a pair and give it a shot!
safe pair of hands
A trustworthy and competent person. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. That struggling company really needs a leader who is a safe pair of hands and can make some positive changes.
another pair of eyes
Another person to examine or critique something. I need another pair of eyes to look at my term paper because I always make a lot of spelling mistakes. I think we should get another pair of eyes on this ad campaign before we finalize it.
another pair of eyes
and a fresh pair of eyesFig. another person to examine something closely in addition to anyone previously. As soon as we can get a fresh pair of eyes on this mansuscipt, we will find the last of the typos.
*candidate for a pair of wings
Euph. someone who is likely to die; someone who is close to death. (Jocular. *Typically: be ~; look like ~.) Whenever Jane wants to cross the street, she just walks out into traffic without looking. She's a candidate for a pair of wings, I say. Tom: How's Bill doing? I heard he was sick. Jane: Not good, I'm afraid. He looks like a candidate for a pair of wings.
look like a candidate for a pair of wings Go to a
candidate for a pair of wings.
pair off
[for two people or other creatures] to form a couple or pair. All of them paired off and worked as teams to solve the puzzle. Everyone should pair off and discuss the issue for a while.
pair up (with someone)
to join with someone to make a pair. Sally decided to pair up with Jason for the dance contest. Sally and Jason paired up with each other.
show somebody a clean pair of heels
(British) to go faster than someone else in a race Butler showed them all a clean pair of heels as he raced for the finishing line.
have a [fine/good etc.] pair of lungs
(humorous) if you say that a baby has a good pair of lungs, you mean that they can cry very loudly Well she's got a fine pair of lungs, I'll say that for her!
a safe pair of hands
(British & Australian) someone who you can trust to do an important job well without making mistakes He's what this troubled club needs, a good, solid manager, a safe pair of hands.
pair off
1. Put two persons together; also, become one of a couple, as in Jean mentally paired off her guests whenever she planned a party, or All the tennis players had to pair off for a round of doubles matches. [Late 1600s]
2. Also, pair up. Make a pair of, match, as in I always have trouble pairing up their socks. [Early 1900s]
show one's heels
Also, show a clean pair of heels. Run away, flee, as in He wanted to ask her out but she showed her heels before he had a chance, or As soon as the burglar alarm went off, the housebreaker showed a clean pair of heels. The backs of one's heels are exactly what is seen when one is running away, but the allusion of clean is a bit puzzling, unless it is meant in the colloquial sense of "thorough," as in a clean getaway. [First half of 1500s]
pair off
v.1. To arrange some things or people in groups of two: The drama coach paired off the students to rehearse scenes. The organizer paired the partygoers off and sent them on a treasure hunt.
2. To form pairs: The dance students paired off and practiced waltzing.
pair up
v.1. To arrange some things or people in groups of two: The gym teacher paired up the students and started a badminton tournament. The organizer paired the volunteers up.
2. To form pairs or a pair: The dance students paired up and practiced waltzing. My best friend and I paired up when our class chose locker partners.