sparring partner

[ spahr-ing pahrt-ner ]

noun

1. a boxer who spars with and otherwise serves to train a boxer who is preparing for a bout.
2. a person who serves to sharpen and expand one’s thinking through frequent friendly debate:

   This provocative political writer was the frequent sparring partner of a popular talk show host on TV.

sparring partner

/ ˈspɑːrɪŋ /

noun

1. a person who practises with a boxer during training
2. a person with whom one has friendly arguments

Word History and Origins

Origin of sparring partner¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Idioms and Phrases

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 .

Example Sentences

At the very least, he would make a thoughtful and high-minded sparring partner for Clinton in the debates that lie ahead.

From The Daily Beast

Johansson needed a sparring partner, and a young, brash man, just a year out of the amateurs, volunteered.

From The Daily Beast

SMUG is willing to fight it out and has a willing sparring partner in Lively, who has been sued five times by gay activists.

From The Daily Beast

She was with her on most of the major swims of the 1970s, is a friend, adviser, and sparring partner.

From The Daily Beast

He had had no sparring partner, and his food had not been of the best nor always sufficient.

From Project Gutenberg

Bit thick, I mean to say, a sparring-partner going at him like that.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he was a sparring partner, I think they call it, for a prizefighter.

From Project Gutenberg

He's been sparring partner of one of the champions and he thinks a good deal of himself.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the fact that Bugs Butler was lowering himself to extend his powers against a sparring-partner that shocked Mr. Burrowes.

From Project Gutenberg