Pairs #14

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Belt and braces. Redundancy affording mutual backup in the event of one system failing.

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.

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.)

Chicken and rice. A common food pairing.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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