Binomial
pairs
A binomial pair is an expression containing two words
which are joined by a conjunction (usually and or or). The word
order of a binomial pair is usually fixed.
Here are some of the most common binomials, split into
five categories:
1. Binomial pairs joined by and
2. Binomial pairs joined by or
3. Binomial pairs with alliteration
4. Rhyming binomial pairs
5. Binomial pairs joined by other words.
2. Binomial pairs joined by or
3. Binomial pairs with alliteration
4. Rhyming binomial pairs
5. Binomial pairs joined by other words.
1. Binomials
joined by and
neat and tidy
definition: clean, organised, tidy – not messy or untidy (also clean and tidy)
example: Her house is always very neat and tidy: there’s never anything out of place.
example: Her house is always very neat and tidy: there’s never anything out of place.
sick and tired
definition: annoyed or frustrated with something / someone and at the point of
getting angry or losing your patience
example: I’m sick and tired of our neighbours making such a noise – I’m gonna call the police.
example: I’m sick and tired of our neighbours making such a noise – I’m gonna call the police.
short and sweet
definition: when something is very quick and to-the-point; of minimum length and no
longer than it needs to be
example: His speech was short and sweet – he just said what he needed to say and he was very quick about it.
example: His speech was short and sweet – he just said what he needed to say and he was very quick about it.
wine and dine
definition: wine and dine someone – entertain someone with a good quality meal
example: The bosses of the advertising agency always wine and dine their top clients.
example: The bosses of the advertising agency always wine and dine their top clients.
up and down
definition: moving between the same two points repeatedly
example: We drove up and down the same street ten times looking for the restaurant.
example: We drove up and down the same street ten times looking for the restaurant.
odds and ends
definition: various items of different types, usually small, often of little value
and importance
example: There’s nothing important in those cupboards, just a few odds and ends.
example: There’s nothing important in those cupboards, just a few odds and ends.
skin and bone
definition: to be very thin; to look underfed
example: That dog is all skin and bone. I don’t think anyone ever feeds it.
example: That dog is all skin and bone. I don’t think anyone ever feeds it.
loud and clear
definition: very clear and very easy to understand
examples: You don’t have to shout – I can hear you loud and clear.
The two pilots could hear each other loud and clear.
examples: You don’t have to shout – I can hear you loud and clear.
The two pilots could hear each other loud and clear.
back and forth
definition: moving first in one direction then in another
examples: The taxi driver’s job consists mainly of going back and forth between the hotel and the airport all day.
We rocked the baby back and forth in the chair until she fell asleep.
examples: The taxi driver’s job consists mainly of going back and forth between the hotel and the airport all day.
We rocked the baby back and forth in the chair until she fell asleep.
by and large
definition: on the whole
example: Not all the food in that restaurant is fantastic, but by and large it’s very good.
example: Not all the food in that restaurant is fantastic, but by and large it’s very good.
far and wide
definition: a large number of places, across a large geographical area; often used
with from
example: People travel from far and wide to see the birthplaces of the Beatles.
example: People travel from far and wide to see the birthplaces of the Beatles.
———————–
2. Binomials joined by or
make or break
definition: the result will be either success or failure, nothing between
example: The next match is make or break for us. If we lose we’ll have no chance of winning the league.
example: The next match is make or break for us. If we lose we’ll have no chance of winning the league.
take it or leave
it
definition: (of a negotiation) your last offer: you are not going to negotiation
further or allow the other person to negotiate
example: Eight hundred dollars is my final offer for your car – take it or leave it!
example: Eight hundred dollars is my final offer for your car – take it or leave it!
sooner or later
definition: that something will definitely happen, although it is not known when
examples: We’re all going to die sooner or later.
If you lie, people will find you out sooner or later.
examples: We’re all going to die sooner or later.
If you lie, people will find you out sooner or later.
more or less
definition: approximately; almost
examples: The repairs to the car will take a week, more or less.
Just give me another minute – I’ve more or less finished.
examples: The repairs to the car will take a week, more or less.
Just give me another minute – I’ve more or less finished.
———————–
3. Alliteration
Some binomials are based on
alliteration, i.e. the two words begin with the same sound:
part and parcel
definition: that something is always
an essential part of something and is never missing from it
examples: Long hours of training and a lot of travelling are part and parcel of being a professional footballer.
For some old people loneliness is part and parcel of everyday life.
examples: Long hours of training and a lot of travelling are part and parcel of being a professional footballer.
For some old people loneliness is part and parcel of everyday life.
safe and sound
definition: not in danger and not
injured in any way
examples: The missing boy returned to his family safe and sound.
The soldier—thought to be dead—was found safe and sound in the forest.
examples: The missing boy returned to his family safe and sound.
The soldier—thought to be dead—was found safe and sound in the forest.
rules and regulations
definition: laws, rules, legislation
examples: The rules and regulations in prisons are very strict.
There are different rules and regulations for commercial vehicles than for ordinary passenger cars.
examples: The rules and regulations in prisons are very strict.
There are different rules and regulations for commercial vehicles than for ordinary passenger cars.
live and learn
definition: to learn from the
experiences that life gives us (often you live and learn), said when you hear or
discover something which is surprising
example: You mean I can get a discount because I’m under 26? Well, you live and learn – I never knew that!
example: You mean I can get a discount because I’m under 26? Well, you live and learn – I never knew that!
———————–
4. Rhyming binomials
Other binomials have two words
with a rhyming sound:
hustle and bustle
definition: a lot of noisy activity
caused by people, usually in cities
example: There’s always lots of hustle and bustle at the market on Wednesdays.
example: There’s always lots of hustle and bustle at the market on Wednesdays.
wear and tear
definition: the decrease in value
and/or quality of something because of its age and a lot of use
example: The wear and tear on his knees means he can no longer play football at the top level.
I paid 3000 euros for my car, but because of wear and tear I sold it for just 1500 a year later.
example: The wear and tear on his knees means he can no longer play football at the top level.
I paid 3000 euros for my car, but because of wear and tear I sold it for just 1500 a year later.
willy-nilly
definition: haphazardly, randomly,
and without much planning and organisation; without order
example: The product sold badly because the salesmen travelled to customers will-nilly without any strategy or plan.
She’s so untidy – when she gets undressed she simply throws her clothes around the room willy-nilly.
example: The product sold badly because the salesmen travelled to customers will-nilly without any strategy or plan.
She’s so untidy – when she gets undressed she simply throws her clothes around the room willy-nilly.
———————–
5. Binomial pairs joined by other words
back to front
definition: when the back of
something faces the front, and vice-versa
example: You’ve got your t-shirt on back to front! Take it off and turn it around.
example: You’ve got your t-shirt on back to front! Take it off and turn it around.
step by step
definition: to do something
methodically, one step at a time
example: Follow the course and step by step ad you will learn how to create modern and attractive web pages.
example: Follow the course and step by step ad you will learn how to create modern and attractive web pages.
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