a pair of ass

USAGE SUMMARY

"a pair of ass" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used as an informal expression for someone who is not very intelligent or has done something foolish. For example: "Joe made a stupid decision - what a pair of ass!".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Vlodomir uses our cat-eyed protagonist to make merry with the other guests, sticking a pair of ass ears on his noggin, indulging in some filthy pig wrangling, and making inappropriate comments about the bride and groom to their faces.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Baise-moi (2000) Baise-moi was a rape'n'revenge saga that attempted to have its cake and eat it; a hardcore Thelma and Louise that dispatched a pair of ass-kicking porn starlets on a mission of reprisal.

The Guardian - Film

Cato the Elder describes a 2nd-century-bc rotary quern consisting of a concave lower stone and a convex upper, turned by a pair of asses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He is the rare man of sixty-two who is not shy about showing his ass — an ass finely sausaged into a pair of alarmingly tight black jeans — to twenty thousand paying customers.

The New Yorker

They kitted me out with everything I'd need to not get covered in or swept away by a tidal wave of said shit: a hard hat with a light on, a harness, two different types of glove, a white protective suit, and a pair of boots that came up to my ass.

Vice

He is the rare man of sixty-two who is not shy about showing his ass an ass finely sausaged into a pair of alarmingly tight black jeans to twenty thousand paying customers.

The New Yorker

Before HUF, and before everyone and their grandma had a pair of weed socks, he was just a kid, busting his ass to get sponsored.

Vice

If a girl has an impeccable ass, maybe, MAYYYYBEEE, she will look good in a pair of these, depending on the particular cut and style.

Vice

Bought a pair of sweatpants with 'Juicy' on the back, but the J and U got sucked up my fat ass, so now I'm just 'icy'icy

Huffington Post

And a pair of brothers were stopped at a Plymouth, UK train station with £24,000 worth of heroin shoved up their ass.

Vice

A pair of friends.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a pair of ass" in formal writing. Opt for more appropriate and respectful language.

Common error

Don't use "a pair of ass" when describing individuals in professional or academic contexts; this phrase is highly informal and can be considered offensive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a pair of ass" functions primarily as an incorrect, and potentially offensive, descriptor for individuals deemed foolish or as a literal, though ungrammatical, reference to donkeys. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is generally considered ungrammatical and unsuitable for formal use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a pair of ass" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and its usage is discouraged. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While it may appear in some informal contexts, it's crucial to recognize that more appropriate and respectful alternatives exist, such as "two donkeys" or "a couple of fools". Due to its potential for misinterpretation and offense, especially in formal or professional settings, it's best to avoid this phrase. Opting for clearer and more respectful language enhances communication and prevents unintended offense. The limited and somewhat varied examples provided by Ludwig highlight the rarity and inconsistency of this phrase's usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two asses

Corrects the grammar by using the plural form of "ass".

two donkeys

Replaces the informal term "ass" with its literal meaning, focusing on the animal.

a pair of dummies

Replaces the term with a more straightforward and common word for unintelligent people.

a couple of fools

Substitutes the literal meaning with an idiomatic expression to describe unintelligent people.

a couple of idiots

Similar to "a couple of fools", but uses a different synonym for unintelligent.

two nitwits

Replaces "ass" with a more lighthearted term for someone silly or foolish.

a pair of blockheads

Employs a less common, slightly archaic term for foolish individuals.

two simpletons

Uses the word "simpletons" to describe two naive or foolish individuals.

a couple of nincompoops

Uses a humorous and somewhat old-fashioned term for foolish people.

a couple of dunderheads

Uses a strong and slightly derogatory term for stupid individuals.

FAQs

What does the phrase "a pair of ass" mean?

The phrase "a pair of ass" is generally an ungrammatical expression. It may be informally intended to describe two donkeys or to refer to two foolish individuals, though more appropriate expressions exist.

Is "a pair of ass" grammatically correct?

No, "a pair of ass" is not grammatically correct. The plural form of "ass" is "asses". A grammatically correct alternative could be "two asses".

What can I say instead of "a pair of ass" to describe foolish people?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a couple of fools", "a pair of blockheads", or "two idiots".

In what contexts is it acceptable to use the phrase "a pair of ass"?

Given its informality and potential for misinterpretation or offense, it is best to avoid the phrase "a pair of ass" in most contexts. It might only be suitable in very informal settings among close friends who understand the intended meaning.