a sparring partner

sparring partner

1. Literally, someone with whom one practices martial arts or boxing. OK, John here is going to be your new sparring partner. He's tougher than you're used to, but he'll help your skills improve.
2. By extension, someone with whom one engages in a debate, argument, or heated discussion, especially when one enjoys doing so. I was sad to hear he wouldn't be in the class next semester—he was my favorite sparring partner during class discussions. The two have been sparring partners on the morning talk show for nearly ten years.
See also: partner, spar
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a sparring partner

Someone's sparring partner is someone they enjoy arguing with or discussing things with. My old sparring partner Chris Moyles has got the Radio 1 breakfast show in place of Sara Cox. Note: This expressing comes from boxing, where a sparring partner was someone to practise with.
See also: partner, spar
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • sparring partner
  • spar
  • spar with
  • spar with (one)
  • ride with the punches
  • roll with the punches
  • roll with the punches, to
  • the Queensberry Rules
  • literally
  • (one) must have killed a Chinaman
References in periodicals archive
It was an injury Pacquiao sustained in sparring nearly a month ago, April 4 to be exact, when his right arm and that of a sparring partner got entangled.
Penalosa: Pacquiao may have overworked himself
According to reports, the Filipino world champion knocked down a sparring partner in the training camp session last Thursday.
Manny Pacquiao Knocks Down Sparring Partner, Ready For Chris Algieri
Unbeaten Irish welterweight Byrne has served as a sparring partner for Filipino Pacquiao at trainer Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in the build-up to both this fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena and last December's victory over Oscar De La Hoya.
Manny too strong for Hatton - Byrne
Peter Harrison, the challenger's father and trainer, said: "What Scott needs is a sparring partner who has the same physical build as Chacon and fights in an identical style to his.
BOXING: C'Mong have a go if you think you're hard enough; Choi gets Scott ready for action
Klitschko, who holds the IBF, IBO, WBO and WBA crown had used the 28-year-old Pianeta as a sparring partner last year.
Vladimir Klitschko To Defend Heavyweight Title Against Pianeta
Michael Moorer has vowed to grab Evander Holyfield's world boxing crown this weekend - after a sparring partner tried to pull a fast one.
Moorer's sparred on to win