BINOMIAL PAIR

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.

1. Binomials joined by AND
NEAT AND TIDY: 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.
SICK AND TIRED: 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.
WINE AND DINE: 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.
LOUD AND CLEAR: 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.
BACK AND FORTH: moving first in one direction then in another
Example:
We rocked the baby back and forth in the chair until she fell asleep.

2. Binomials joined by OR
MAKE OR BREAK: 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.
TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT: (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!
SOONER OR LATER: 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.
MORE OR LESS: 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.

3. Alliteration
Some binomials are based on alliteration, i.e. the two words begin with the same sound:
SAFE AND SOUND: 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.
RULES AND REGULATIONS: laws, rules, legislation
Example:
The rules and regulations in prisons are very strict.
LIVE AND LEARN: 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!

4. Rhyming binomials
Other binomials have two words with a rhyming sound:
HUSTLE AND BUSTLE: 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.
WEAR AND TEAR: the decrease in value and/or quality of something because of its age and a lot of use
Example:
I paid $3000 for my car but because of wear and tear I sold it for just 1500 a year later.
WILLY-NILLY: haphazardly, randomly, and without much planning and organisation; without order
Example:
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: when the back of something faces the front, and vice-versa
Example:
You’ve got your t-shirt on back to front!
STEP BY STEP: to do something methodically, one step at a time
Example:
Follow the instructions step by step.