pair off

1. Put two persons together; also, become one of a couple, as in Jean mentally paired off her guests whenever she planned a party , or All the tennis players had to pair off for a round of doubles matches . [Late 1600s]

2. Also, pair up . Make a pair of, match, as in I always have trouble pairing up their socks . [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

As waiters in white coats circled with trays of shrimp cocktails, sliders, French fries and champagne, partygoers paired off in corners.

From New York Times

Tiger Woods was in the third pairing off the tee after shooting his worst round in a major, a 10-over 82 on Saturday.

From Seattle Times

Circumstances change — people pair off, have children, choose lives that seem at odds with the dreams of youth.

From Los Angeles Times

Two of them have already paired off, their knees touching in the corner.

From Los Angeles Times

Pairs of rabbits come together, produce litters of new rabbits, and then the new rabbits grow up to pair off themselves and make even more rabbits.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• adjust
• harmonize
• offset
• readjust
• stabilize
• weigh