Phrases with ‘and’ are in common use in English collocations combining specific words in specific order. E.g: we say ‘give and take’, not ‘take and give’. Mostly such phrases are alliterative like ‘bag and baggage’. As a figurative speech these are desirable which add to the style and elegance of writing or speaking often with an emphasis. It is further interesting to note that constituent words of a phrase do not decide its part of speech. For example the phrase ‘bag and baggage’ is an Adverb though both the words of the phrase are noun. She left home bag and baggage. Similarly ‘off and on’ is Adjective whereas both the words are otherwise adverbs. ‘hard and fast’ is an adjective but ‘thick and fast’ is adverb and so is ‘give and take (concessions & compromises)’ which is a Noun phrase in spite of both ‘give’ and ‘take’ being verbs. As for adjective phrases, some are always used as attributive whereas others are always predicative. E.g: a hard and fast rule; rains have been few and far between this monsoon. Some phrases can be used both as an adjective and adverb. Consider following examples:
What flood victims need first and foremost is safe drinking water. [Adverb]
Arif Md Khan is a devout Muslim but he considers himself first and foremost an Indian. [Adjective]
Other such phrases are: ’up and down’, ‘down and out’, ‘out and about’, ‘nice and easy’, ‘nip and tuck (closely contested; neck and neck)’.
Following tables list more than 200 such phrases/idioms.
Noun Expressions airs and graces (= an affectation of superiority) all and sundry bits and pieces bread and butter carrot and stick (= reward & punishment) chalk and cheese (= nothing in common) checks and balances comings and goings cut and thrust (= exciting and challenging) day and night (or night and day) death and destruction doom and gloom facts and figures heaven and hell highways and byways (= every narrow & broad road/ all paths traversed in journey of life) hustle and bustle ins and outs law and order life and death part and parcel (of…) pros and cons push and pull rise and fall rough and tumble (= a free-for-all) salt and pepper spit and polish sticks and stones stresses and strains toil and trouble toing and froing trouble and strife twists and turns ups and downs wear and tear whys and wherefores (= reasons) | Preposition Expressions in and around above and beyond over and above Verb Expressions aid and abet chop and change (= change opinion/ behaviour frequently and abruptly) come and go compare and contrast cut and run done and dusted duck and dive give and take hem and haw (=hesitate ‘be indecisive) huff and puff mind one's p's and q's mix and match mix and mingle read and write skimp and save wax and wane wheel and deal Adjective Expressions be done and dusted black and white bright and early bright and breezy cheap and nasty dead and buried free and easy) high and dry (=helpless & difficult situation) high and mighty hit and miss home and dry(=within sight of achievement) off and on (or on and off) out and out (= absolute, in every respect) pure and simple safe and sound short and sweet swings and roundabouts | touch and go tried and tested up and coming up and down willing and able Adverb Expressions again and again at (someone’s) beck and call (=ever ready to comply to someone’s commands) back and forth by and by by and large by/in leaps and bounds day and night (or night and day) every now and then far and away far and wide fast and furious(ly) here and there (or hither and thither) home and away in dribs and drabs (= scattered or sporadic amount) in fits and starts in/by leaps and bounds in this day and age little and often lo and behold now and again (every) now and then off and on out and about over and over again round and round thick and fast (=rapidly and in great numbers) through thick and thin through and through(=thoroughly, completely) time and (time) again to all intents and purposes to and fro up and down with care and attention |
More of Idiomatic Expressions of Collocation with And
(as) certain as death and taxes (as) different as chalk and cheese (as) sure as death and taxes (as) different as night and day the be-all and end-all gentleman and a scholar a hop, skip, and a jump a hue and cry a nudge (nod) and a wink alive and kicking all brawn and no brain a place for everything, and everything in its place after everything is said and done all for one, and one for all all is fair in love and war all shapes and sizes an open-and-shut case and what have you as clear as black and white be damned if you do and damned if you don't be at it hammer and tongs be dragged kicking and screaming be over and done with be out of house and home be sick and tired of (something) | binge and purge (= eat a lot and vomit; figurative: overdo something and then abstain from it) blow hot and cold brains versus brawn bright and breezy bruised and battered bubble and squeak bricks and mortar chapter and verse (every minute detail) cloak-and-dagger day in and day out ebb and flow enough and to spare fight (someone or something) tooth and claw/ nail fire and brimstone fine and dandy flesh and blood flora and fauna flotsam and jetsam form and substance footloose and fancy-free hawks and doves head and shoulders above heart and soul home and hearth/hearth and home (comfort and warmth of family) hell and high water | Hellfire and Damnation! here and now hook, line, and sinker (=without hesitation or reservation because of perfect deception) hop, skip, and a jump lean and mean life and limb nook and cranny honest and aboveboard judge, jury, and executioner Jekyll and Hyde left, right, and centre (a)live and well null and void nothing but skin and bones all skin and bones sick and tired of (something) sit up and take notice, to (make someone) spic and span sword and sorcery swift and sure the haves and the have-nots sum and substance up and about/doing tweedledum and tweedledee ways and means |