to pair off
10
3.7
- phrasal verb
- /pɛr ɔf/
:
formar parejas
- Those of you who are still fit will be paired off for the individual finals
Examples
-
Right, I thought we'd do some life drawing today, so why don't you pair off into twos and decide who wants to model and who wants to draw?
-
So what I want you to do is, I want you to pair off and you're gonna find someone to interview that remembers that day.
-
I want you to pair off, two by two.
-
I said they were going to pair off.
-
Then pair them off and have them share their views with their partners.
Academic text (1992) -
Is it enough that the teacher can do a good lesson and pair the students off for some group work?
Blog text (32) -
Then the children can pair off and "talk" to each other in cat conversations for a minute or two.
Academic text (2006) -
Okay, but actually, I might pair off with Lizzie.
-
A certain amount of pairing off was always part of the original plan.
-
After explaining the activity, the teacher instructed the students to pair off and work together on their project.
Synonyms
182
4.2
To join two things or people so they form a pair
115
2.2
To join two people or things so they work together
114
3.1
To join things, ideas, or people together
1
4.1
To form pairs for an activity
To join two machines or vehicles so they are connected
Antonyms
How Organized
- Jargon
1
8.9
95
2.5
10
3.7
∞
1.0
- Informal
59
3.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to form pairs' is directly and compositionally built from 'pair' (to link or match two items) combined with the particle 'off' which here signals division/formation into separate units. This verb+particle pattern is common and follows transparent compositional logic that a B1 learner who knows both constituents can readily infer.
Etymology
Pair off comes from social dances and group activities where people would leave the main group and stand with one partner. The picture of stepping off the crowd to make a pair explains why it means 'to form pairs' or 'join together in pairs' today.