Pairs #14

Heart and soul. The core of a thing; the most essential or important part.

New and improved. A phrase often used in advertising to describe the latest version of a product or service that is more robust than previous versions; or a new product or service that is more robust than previously offered ones.

Nice and easy. In a way that is slow, careful, gentle, or easy.

Five and dime. (US) A store selling inexpensive items.

Over and out. (procedure word, idiomatic) Used in films and TV to signal the end of a conversation, especially one conducted by CB radio or the like. (Not used in real-life radio communications, since “over” means other parties are free to speak and “out” means you do not expect a reply.)

Rich and famous. 1. A description of wealthy celebrities. 2. A 1981 film starring Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen.

First and last. 1. Only. 2. First and last names.

Before and after. A description of a pair of images showing the difference made by a specified treatment.

Chips and dip. A dish usually served as a snack or appetizer and consisting of potato, tortilla, corn, bean, vegetable, pita, plantain or other chips (crisps) and one or more dips, e.g., French onion dip, salsa, guacamole.

Fish and chips. A hot dish featuring batter-fried fish and chips (French fries), which originated in Britain and is today popular in English-speaking and Commonwealth nations.

Lock and dam. A system that enables a large ship to move from a body of water at one level to another body of water at another level.

Rhythm and blues. A genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s.

Meet and greet. A social gathering primarily for purposes of networking.

Cheese and crackers. A food pairing often served as a snack or as an hors d'oeuvre.

Thick and thin. 1. Both thickets and thin woodland; (through) all obstacles in a path. 2. (idiomatic) Both good and bad times.

Mike and Ike. A brand of oblong fruit-flavored chewy candies introduced in 1940 and still manufactured as of 2023.

Pen and pencil. A pair of writing implements needed by many students.

Form and substance. The structure and content of something, such as a creative work.

Head and shoulders. 1. (idiomatic) To a considerable degree. 2. (as Head & Shoulders) A brand of anti-dandruff shampoo.

Bells and whistles. (idiomatic) Extra features added for show rather than function.

Duck and dive. (UK, colloquial) To operate in a skilfully shifty or evasive manner.

Open and shut. (informal) Simple and obvious; easily decided.

Search and rescue. The search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.

Hearth and home. Traditional family values and home life.