sparring partner
noun
a boxer who spars with and otherwise serves to train a boxer who is preparing for a bout.
Also called
sparring mate.
Origin of sparring partner
First recorded in 1905–10
Words nearby sparring partner
sparkplug,
sparks,
sparky,
sparling,
sparoid,
sparring partner,
sparrow,
sparrow hawk,
sparrowfart,
sparrowgrass,
sparrowhawk
Example sentences from the Web for sparring partner
Bit thick, I mean to say, a sparring-partner going at him like that.
The Adventures of Sally |P. G. WodehouseIt was the fact that Bugs Butler was lowering himself to extend his powers against a sparring-partner that shocked Mr. Burrowes.
The Adventures of Sally |P. G. WodehouseAnd with this poor encouragement from his trainer and sparring-partner, Trevor was forced to be content.
The Gold Bat |P. G. Wodehouse
British Dictionary definitions for sparring partner
sparring partner
/ (ˈspɑːrɪŋ) /
noun
a person who practises with a boxer during training
a person with whom one has friendly arguments
Idioms and Phrases with sparring partner
sparring partner
An individual with whom one enjoys arguing, as in Jim's my best sparring partner. This expression alludes to boxing, where since about 1900 it has denoted the person one practices or trains with. [Mid-1900s] Also see spar with.