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

Can she push her own messaging and policy ideas to the fore when her sparring partner is renowned for quashing substantive discourse in a barrage of insults, lies and red herrings?

From Los Angeles Times

They have turned to friendly hackers to probe their cyberdefenses, like boxers who use sparring partners to ready them for a championship fight.

From Seattle Times

As the votes are in, we are now hearing reaction from other Senedd members - and first up is his new verbal sparring partner.

From BBC

In more ways than one, Bairstow is the great survivor of English cricket and there is genuine affection towards him from all areas of the game, even if he is the media's punchiest sparring partner.

From BBC

Me and the other sparring partners would huddle up, plotting and planning on how to take him down.

From BBC